Article

Choosing between the different indices of activity evaluation in RA
is often difficult considering the very heterogeneous clinical expression of the
disease. The objective of our study was to evaluate the level of similarity
between SDAI, CDAI, DAS28-(ESR) and DAS28-(CRP) indices in the evaluation of RA
activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this transversal study, a total of 100
patients with RA responding to the ACR 87 criteria were followed up for a period
of 20 months. The correlations between the four indices were studied through the
Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). The similarity between these tools was
evaluated through Kendall's (K) "tau" similarity coefficient. RESULTS: The 87
female and 13 male patients (sex ratio: 6.7F/1M) were of a mean age of
52.9+/-11.6 years (17-77) and have been living with RA for a mean of 8.3+/-9
years (2 months-41 years). The DAS28-(ESR) mean score was 5.53+/-1.46
[1.25-8.05]. The DAS28-(CRP) mean score was 5.01+/-1.44 [1.68-7.81]. The CDAI
mean score was 30.72+/-15.04 [2-62] and that of SDAI was 28.86+/-15.86
[2.3-71.3]. A positive, statistically significant correlation was noted between
the four indices of RA activity. The level of similarity between the different
indices was good (K variation between 0.758 and 0.943). DAS28-(ESR) allowed
classifying the patients in the same category of disease activity than
DAS28-(CRP) in a proportion of 85%. This proportion was 88% when comparing
DAS28-(ESR) to CDAI and SDAI, respectively. Regarding DAS28-(CRP) and CDAI, these
two indices classified the patients in the same category in a proportion of 80%,
compared to 87% regarding DAS28-(CRP) and SDAI. Finally, CDAI and SDAI classified
the patients in the same category in a proportion of 92% with an excellent level
of similarity. CONCLUSION: Different evaluation indices of RA activity are
currently available. DAS28 is the most used. CDAI and especially SDAI have a good
level of similarity with DAS28. Their advantage is to be simple and quick, and
seem therefore well adapted to the follow-up of outpatients.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS