Incorporating the patient perspective into outcome assessment in rheumatoid arthritis--progress at OMERACT 7.

The Patient Perspective Workshop at OMERACT 7 addressed the question of assessing the outcomes of intervention in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the perspective of those who experience the disease. A particular emphasis at this workshop was placed on fatigue, but other areas included well-being, real-time assessment, patient priorities, and needs in early and late disease. Through a series of overview presentations, discussion groups, and plenary sessions, workshop participants (who included 19 patients) clarified what is known and what are the outstanding issues for future research.

Progress since OMERACT 6 on including patient perspective in rheumatoid arthritis outcome assessment.

The first OMERACT Patient Perspective Workshop took place at OMERACT 6 in 2002. Through a series of meetings and discussion sessions a research agenda emerged and this report outlines progress made on this agenda. Work on identifying novel outcomes, instruments, and methods has shown similarities across European countries in the importance patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) attach to specific outcomes, in particular fatigue.

Patients' perceptions of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: overwhelming, uncontrollable, ignored.

Objective: Fatigue is commonly reported by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but is rarely a treatment target. The aim of this study was to explore the concept of fatigue as experienced by patients with RA.

Methods: Fifteen patients with RA and fatigue (> or =7 on a 10-cm visual analog scale) were individually interviewed and asked about the description, cause, consequence, and management of fatigue.

Patient initiated outpatient follow up in rheumatoid arthritis: six year randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine whether direct access to hospital review initiated by patients with rheumatoid arthritis would result in improved clinical and psychological outcome, reduced overall use of healthcare resources, and greater satisfaction with care than seen in patients receiving regular review initiated by a rheumatologist.

Design: Two year randomised controlled trial extended to six years.

Setting: Rheumatology outpatient department in teaching hospital.