Items included in the questionnaires*
| Topic | Item(s) | Possible answers |
|---|---|---|
| *The participants were also asked how many patients with RA and with early RA they see each year. | ||
| Definition | What do you regard as early RA? | |
| A. Type of arthritis (at least) | A. At least: polyarthritis (>5 joints)/oligoarthritis (2–5 joints)/monarthritis | |
| B. Duration of symptoms (one answer) | B. 6 weeks/<3 months/<6 months/ <12 months/other, please specify | |
| Referral time | How long on average does it take from onset of their symptoms until patients with arthritis are referred to you? (one answer) | <6 Weeks/<3 months/<6 months/<12 months/>12 months |
| Diagnostic approach | Which serological tests do you use in the context of early diagnosis? (several answers) | Rheumatoid factor/antinuclear antibodies/antikeratin antibodies /antiperinuclear factor/anti-RA33/anti-CCP (only in 2003) |
| Follow up of patients | How often do you see your patients with early arthritis during the first 3 months? (one answer) | Every 2 weeks/every month/every 3 months/not at all |
| Treatment | When do you start DMARD treatment in patients with newly diagnosed RA? (one answer) | When erosions have occurred/when ACR criteria are fulfilled/when RA is suspected/when NSAIDs have failed <12 months/>6 months/>3 months/other, please specify |
| In patients with newly diagnosed RA, which DMARDs do you prescribe most commonly? (maximum of two answers) | Azathioprine/chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine/chlorambucil/cyclophosphamide/cyclosporin A/d-penicillamine/parenteral gold compounds/oral gold compounds/methotrexate/sulfasalazine/other, please specify The following DMARDs were newly presented in the 2003 questionnaire: leflunomide, infliximab, etanercept, anakinra, adalimumab | |
| Which DMARD do you currently use most in your patients with RA? (please grade as: 1 = very commonly; 5 = not at all) | Same DMARDs as above | |
| Do you use glucocorticoids regularly? (several answers possible) | Together with NSAIDs/as DMARDs without other DMARDs/together with other DMARDs/usually at <10 mg/day/usually at >10 mg/day/for long periods/as short a period as possible | |
| When do you start glucocorticoids for the first time? (several answers possible) | At the time of diagnosis/if DMARDs have failed/as bridging treatment until DMARDs work | |
| Laboratory tests in follow up of RA | Which laboratory tests do you usually ask for when following up your patients with RA? (yes/no, frequency per year) | ESR/CRP/serum amyloid A/rheumatoid factor/antinuclear antibodies/complete blood count/chemistry (liver, kidney,…)/others, please specify |