Sources of discrepancy in patient and physician global assessments of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.

摘要: OBJECTIVE: To investigate discrepancy in the perception of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity between patient and physician, its possible sources. METHODS: Eighty patients with RA rated their level on a visual analog scale (VAS). Physician global assessment (MDGA) was performed blinded to evaluation except for results laboratory tests. A score (DS) calculated by subtracting MDGA from (PTGA), leading definition 3 groups patients: (1) no when PTGA were within 1.0 or 3.0 cm each other; (2) negative under-rated relative physician; (3) positive over-rated physician. Age, sex, duration, education, income, residence area, employment, use antirheumatic drugs, comorbidity, pain score, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) rating, tender (TJC) swollen (SJC) joint count, Disease Activity Score (DAS28) recorded. RESULTS: Negative found 27.5% (VAS 1 cm) 8.7% patients, 43.7% 23.7% cm), 28.7% 67.5% cm). Patients predominantly older (mean age near 50 yrs), female, long duration low income. The group had lower education higher C-reactive protein (p