Integrating PROMIS Measures in a Treat-to-Target Approach to Standardize Patient-Centered Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. To evaluate the effect of a patient-centered rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treat-to-target (T2T) disease management approach on patient outcomes and patient satisfaction with care. Methods. In this longitudinal, observational pilot study, rheumatologists implemented a modified T2T approach that integrated Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) mea-sures for depression, fatigue, pain interference, physical function, and social function into RA care. Study participants selected 1 PROMIS domain to target treatment and completed quarterly follow-up assess-ments. Participants were classified as improved if their Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) changed by > 5 points. Change in PROMIS t scores was examined for the group with improved CDAI, and then compared to those with unchanged or worsened CDAI. Satisfaction with care was assessed using multiple measures, including the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Treatment Satisfaction-Patient Satisfaction Scale. Results. The analytical sample (n = 119, median age 57 years, 90.8% female) was split between those with CDAI > 10 (n = 63) and CDAI & LE; 10 (n = 53). At 1 year, there was improvement in CDAI by > 5 points in 66% and 13% of individuals with baseline CDAI > 10 and baseline CDAI & LE; 10, respectively. Across all par-ticipants, improvement in CDAI by > 5 points correlated with improvements in the 5 PROMIS domains. Satisfaction with RA treatment also increased. Conclusion. The integration of PROMIS measures into the T2T approach for RA care was associated with improvements in disease activity, and improvement in disease activity was associated with improvements in PROMIS measures.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effect of a patient-centered "treat-to-target" (T2T) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease management approach on patient outcomes and satisfaction with care. The study found that integrating the PROMIS assessment system into RA treatment can improve disease activity and increase patient satisfaction.