Development and validation of the european league against rheumatism response criteria for rheumatoid arthritis: Comparison with the preliminary american college of rheumatology and the world health organization/international league against rheumatism criteria

TLDR

The study aimed to validate the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and World Health Organization/International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR) response criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. EULAR response criteria were developed by combining change from baseline with the level of disease activity achieved during follow‑up, and their construct, criterion, and discriminant validity were evaluated in.

Abstract

Abstract Objective . To validate the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and the World Health Organization (WHO)/International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR) response criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods . EULAR response criteria were developed combining change from baseline and level of disease activity attained during followup. In a trial comparing hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine, we studied construct (radiographic progression), criterion (functional capacity), and discriminant validity. Results . EULAR response criteria had good construct, criterion, and discriminant validity. ACR and WHO/ILAR criteria showed only good criterion validity. Conclusion . EULAR response criteria showed better construct and discriminant validity than did the ACR and the WHO/ILAR response criteria for RA.