title: Health outcomes of pediatric rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Measurement of health outcomes in pediatric rheumatic diseases is a critical component of clinical practice and research studies. Measures should include the biological, physical, and psychosocial dimensions of health. Health outcome measures are developed systematically, often using consensus methods. Prior to implementation into practice, health outcome measures must undergo evaluation of measurement properties such as reliability, validity, and responsiveness. There are several health outcome measures available for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, and juvenile dermatomyositis, many of which are composite measures of disease activity. In addition, tools exist for measuring physical functioning and health-related quality of life. There is increasing focus on the incorporation of patient-reported or parent-reported outcomes when measuring the health state of patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases. Further work is required to determine the optimal health outcome measures and approach for eliciting the patient's perception of their health state in pediatric rheumatology.
authors: Section of Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary and Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada. Electronic address: nadia.luca@albertahealthservices.ca.
authors: Nadia J C
authors: NJ
authors: Luca
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Medicine and Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada. Electronic address: brian.feldman@sickkids.ca.
authors: Brian M
authors: BM
authors: Feldman
mesh_terms: D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile; D002648:Child; D003882:Dermatomyositis; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000379:methods
keywords: Consensus development; Criteria; Juvenile dermatomyositis; Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus; Outcome assessment