Quality Indicators for Rheumatoid Arthritis (PDF)

Background/Purpose
Prior to the establishment of RA standards set by the ACR, a widespread discrepancy was formed between practices, which were treating patients with RA with di!erent levels of care. Thus, in order to regulate quality, the ACR implemented the following quality indicators worldwide: tuberculosis screening prior to biological disease modifying drugs (DMARDs), periodic assessment of disease activity, functional status assessment, assessment and classification of disease prognosis, glucocorticoid management, treatment with DMARDs, and follow up treatment with DMARDs.

The aim of our study was to audit our management of RA patients, and assess whether the before mentioned quality indicators were being implemented in our practice and whether this was reflected in better RA disease control.

Click to view the full article in PDF