The Use of MDHAQ/RAPID3 in Different Rheumatic Diseases A Review of the Literature.

Composite indices are frequently used for most rheumatic diseases because of the absence of a single "gold standard" measure applicable to all individual patients with a specific diagnosis. Some of the most commonly used composite indices in rheumatology are too complex and time-consuming for usual clinical care. Nowadays, there is an increasing focus on patient-centered care, and the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) might offer a patient-friendly, time and cost efficient strategy to monitor chronic diseases. Although initially developed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ), which only includes PROMs, has been found informative in many rheumatic diseases. Assessment of a patient with any rheumatic disease requires information beyond what is found on a patient questionnaire, including a careful history and physical examination, as well as relevant laboratory tests and imaging studies, to formulate an optimal treatment plan for each individual patient. Nonetheless, documentation of patient clinical status and change in status may be best accomplished through patient questionnaires. This review summarizes all the evidence relevant to the use of MDHAQ in other rheumatic diseases apart from RA.