Application of disease activity index in rheumatoid arthritis management in Korea

Abstract

Effective management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) necessitates the accurate measurement of disease activity using a treat-to-target strategy established as a cornerstone approach. Disease activity assessment tools such as the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), Simplified Disease Activity Index, Clinical Disease Activity Index, and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 have been internationally validated and recognised. In Korea, the government initiated a quality assessment program mandating routine measurement of DAS28 to ensure high-quality RA management. However, whether the DAS28 is the most suitable disease activity measurement tool in the Korean clinical environment is a topic worth considering. In this review, we comprehensively examined disease activity measurement tools and their performance in the Korean context. We also propose a new strategy for measuring RA disease activity, tailored to the different situations encountered by physicians in routine clinical practice. This review may contribute to the improvement of the quality of care for patients with RA in Korea.

Keywords: Korea; Outcome assessment; Rheumatoid arthritis; Severity of illness index.