Implementation of the Lupus Low Disease Activity State in Pediatric Rheumatology Care: The Role of the Visual Analog Scale.

Objective: We compared the measurement properties of a traditional physician global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) 10-cm visual analog scale (PhGA) with that of the three-point numeric scale (PhGA) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) as part of the childhood Lupus Low Disease Activity State (cLLDAS).

Methods: We used a secondary data analysis from a convenience sample of 100 patients with cSLE followed every three months for up to seven visits. Ratings of PhGA, PhGA, parent assessment of patient well-being (ParGA) (range: 0= very poorly, 10 = very well), disease activity as measured by the SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2k), Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA) SLEDAI, and the British Isles International Lupus Activity Group index (BILAG; A = 9, B = 3, C = 1, D/E = 0) were compared.