Low disease activity state in rheumatoid arthritis: concepts and derivation of minimal disease activity

CER2874
2006 Vol.24, N°6 ,Suppl.43
PI 0052, PF 0059
Alternatives to strict remission in RA

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PMID: 17083764 [PubMed]

Abstract

ABSTRACT:With recent advances in therapy, the proportion of patients achieving a satisfactory state of minimal disease activity (MDA) is becoming a more important measure with which to compare different treatment strategies. MDA is between high disease activity and remission and anyone in remission will also be in MDA. This paper summarizes the process of coming to a definition of minimal disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Two equivalent preliminary definitions of minimal disease activity for use as secondary outcome measures in clinical trials in RA are proposed: a core-set definition based on the WHO/ILAR core set and a DAS-based definition based on the DAS28.