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.

The influence of sex on rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study of onset and outcome after 2 years.

Objective: This prospective study analyzed influence of patient's sex on early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) within one year of disease onset and after 2 years' followup.

Methods: A total of 844 consecutive patients, 538 women, with RA of less than 12 months were studied. Standardized clinical and radiographic assessments were performed at study entry and after 2 years.

Outcomes from the Patient Perspective Workshop at OMERACT 6.

The objective of the Patient Perspective Workshop at OMERACT 6 was to address the question of assessing the outcomes of intervention in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the perspective of those who experience the disease themselves. This was done by reviewing the current state of research in the area, identifying the requirements for the development of valid instruments, delineating a research agenda that can attain these requirements, and motivating participants to undertake the appropriate research. Through a series of meetings and discussion sessions a research agenda emerged that includes: exploring subjective experiences of RA identified by patients as important but not encompassed within the current "core set" of outcome measures (such as a sense of well being, fatigue, and disturbed sleep); clarifying terminology; and empowering patients to be more effective partners in outcomes research.

Six- and 24-month follow-up of pool exercise therapy and education for patients with fibromyalgia.

Objective: To follow patients with fibromyalgia six and 24 months after they finished a six-month treatment programme. The programme comprised pool exercise therapy, adjusted to the patients' limitations, and education based on their health problems.

Methods: Twenty-six patients were examined six and 24 months after the completion of the treatment programme with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), SF-36, the 6-minute walk test, and the Grippit measure.