Agreement between the DAS28-CRP assessed with 3 and 4 variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biological agents in the daily clinic

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective. The Disease Activity Score-28-C-reactive Protein 4 [DAS28-CRP(4)] composite measure for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is based on 4 variables: tender and swollen joint counts, CRP, and patient global assessment. DAS28-CRP(3) includes only 3 variables, because patient global assessment has been omitted. Thresholds for low and high disease activity are the same for the 2 scores. The objective of our study was to compare the 2 DAS scores and their responses on the individual patient level. Methods. Baseline and 12-week disease activity data from 239 patients with RA treated with a biological agent were extracted from the Danish registry for biological treatment (DANBIO). Cohen's effect sizes (ES) and disease activity levels according to the DAS thresholds were assessed. The Bland-Altman method was used to examine the bias between the DAS scores and the 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Results. Baseline values for DAS28-CRP(4) and DAS28-CRP(3) were 4.8 ± 1.2 and 4.6 ± 1.1, respectively. At 12 weeks, DAS28-CRP(4) had improved by -1.39 ± 1.34 (p < 0.0001). At that timepoint the bias of DAS28-CRP(3) was -0.07 (LoA -0.69, 0.55) (p < 0.0001). The bias of the DAS28-CRP(3) response was +0.21 (LoA -0.49, 0.91) (p < 0.0001). ES for DAS28-CRP(4) was 1.2 ± 1.1 versus 1.1 ± 1.1 for DAS28-CRP(3) (p < 0.0001). Compared to DAS28-CRP(4), DAS28-CRP(3) categorized 33% fewer patients as having a high level of disease activity, 8% fewer patients as good responders, and 12% more patients as nonresponders. Conclusion. Mean values of DAS28-CRP(4) and DAS28-CRP(3) agreed well, but in the individual patient the difference between the scores and their responses may be substantial. The Journal of Rheumatology

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Rheumatology
Volume40
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)379-785
Number of pages7
ISSN0315-162X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2013

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