Evaluation of clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from the patient's perspective: a narrative review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction

The evaluation of clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients, including the patient's perspective, allows the inclusion of the patient's perspective in clinical decision-making using instruments designed for this purpose.

Objective

To identify and describe the instruments validated in Spanish to evaluate clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis in daily clinical practice and from the patient's perspective, including disease activity, functionality, impact of the disease, adherence to treatment and quality of life.

Materials and methods

A review of the literature in various databases (PubMed, Scopus, Bireme, Scielo) was conducted looking for questionnaires that evaluate clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients, including those with a validated Spanish translation that allow self-assessment of the disease by the patient and clinical monitoring.

Results

Fifteen questionnaires were identified and selected that met the inclusion criteria. Four instruments were found that evaluate quality of life, three that evaluate functionality, four that evaluate disease impact, one that evaluate disease activity, and three that evaluate adherence to treatment.

Conclusion

Questionnaires and scales that evaluate rheumatoid arthritis allow a clinical approach to the evolution of the disease as perceived and reported by the patients, optimizing clinical follow up. Implementation of these tools in clinical decision making allows for an improvement in quality of care of patient with this condition.