Results of the third turn of the Delphi technique: domain-specific instruments and their cut off points, defining the disease activity for each selected domain, considered during the previous turns as the main domains
Domain | Instrument | Cut off point |
---|---|---|
In case of isolated axial involvement | ||
Patient’s global assessment | VAS, past week | ⩾40 mm |
Inflammatory pain | VAS past week, night, due to AS | ⩾40 mm |
Functional impairment | BASFI | ⩾40 |
Laboratory parameters | ESR or CRP | ESR ⩾28 mm/1st h or CRP ⩾ normal range |
Refractory to NSAIDs | Inadequate symptomatic response to NSAIDs at maximum tolerated dosage | Of at least 2 NSAIDs |
In case of peripheral arthritis | ||
Patient’s global assessment | VAS, past week | ⩾40 mm |
Number of swollen joints | 44 | ⩾1 |
Number of tender joints | 44 | ⩾3 |
Functional impairment | BASFI | ⩾40 |
Laboratory parameters | ESR or CRP | ESR ⩾28 mm/1st h or CRP ⩾ normal range |
Refractory to NSAIDs | Inadequate symptomatic response to NSAIDs at maximum tolerated dosage | Of at least 2 NSAIDs |
In case of enthesitis | ||
Patient’s global assessment | VAS, past week | ⩾40 mm |
Tender enthesitis | 0–4 Likert scale | At least moderate (⩾2) |
Functional impairment | BASFI | ⩾40 |
Refractory to NSAIDs | Inadequate symptomatic response to NSAIDs at maximum tolerated dosage | Of at least 2 NSAIDs |
Refractory to local treatment | Insufficient response to local steroid injections | Of at least 2 injections |