José-Luis Andréu1, María Auxiliadora Martín2, Héctor Corominas3, José Javier Pérez-Venegas4, José Andrés Román-Ivorra5, Fernando Sánchez-Alonso2, Ángel Gil de Miguel6. 1. Rheumatology Department, H.U. Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Spain. Electronic address: jlandreus@gmail.com. 2. Research Unit, Sociedad Española de Reumatología, Madrid, Spain. 3. Unitat territorial de Reumatologia, Hospital Universitari de Sant Pau & Hospital Dos de Maig, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain. 4. Rheumatology Department, H.C.U. Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain. 5. Rheumatology Department, H.U.P. La Fe, Valencia, Spain. 6. Cátedra de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The current paradigm of the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recommends achieving a state of remission or low disease activity through the treat-to-target strategy. Our study assesses adherence to this strategy. METHOD: Patients with RA (ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria) were included. From each centre, 19 patients were randomly selected. Clinical histories (CH) were assessed by independent auditors, checking compliance with predefined quality criteria. The study was approved by ethics committees. RESULTS: We included 856 patients (mean age 54 years; 71% women). The use of a combined index (CI) was recorded in 61% of cases. Visits were recorded every 4 weeks using a CI in 4% of CH while attempts were made to achieve remission. Monitoring of disease activity every 6-8 months after reaching the target was recorded in 73% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the treat-to-target strategy is barely recorded in patients with RA in routine clinical practice.
INTRODUCTION: The current paradigm of the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recommends achieving a state of remission or low disease activity through the treat-to-target strategy. Our study assesses adherence to this strategy. METHOD:Patients with RA (ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria) were included. From each centre, 19 patients were randomly selected. Clinical histories (CH) were assessed by independent auditors, checking compliance with predefined quality criteria. The study was approved by ethics committees. RESULTS: We included 856 patients (mean age 54 years; 71% women). The use of a combined index (CI) was recorded in 61% of cases. Visits were recorded every 4 weeks using a CI in 4% of CH while attempts were made to achieve remission. Monitoring of disease activity every 6-8 months after reaching the target was recorded in 73% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the treat-to-target strategy is barely recorded in patients with RA in routine clinical practice.