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  • Title: Improvement and longterm maintenance of quality of life during treatment with adalimumab in severe rheumatoid arthritis.
    Author: Mittendorf T, Dietz B, Sterz R, Kupper H, Cifaldi MA, von der Schulenburg JM.
    Journal: J Rheumatol; 2007 Dec; 34(12):2343-50. PubMed ID: 17918788.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: In patients with longstanding severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving chronic treatment with adalimumab, health related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using new instruments [Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale (FACIT-Fatigue) and Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3)] and a more conventional instrument [Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)]. METHODS: Different measures for collecting patient-reported outcomes were applied simultaneously during the 3-year study period. Sociodemographic and medical history data were assessed at the baseline visit. Clinical examinations (e.g., joint examination and morning stiffness), disease assessments, and HRQOL data were recorded every 8 weeks. For dichotomous and categorical variables, absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Metric measures were described using mean and standard deviation and/or standard error of the mean. HRQOL data were analyzed using observed cases. RESULTS: All assessed measures (FACIT-Fatigue, HUI3, SF-36) showed a rapid and statistically significant improvement from baseline following initiation of adalimumab therapy. This effect was maintained over the study period for a mean of 1.6 years in all applied measures. HRQOL data from all tested instruments were significantly correlated with each other. CONCLUSION: Chronic therapy with adalimumab improved measures of fatigue and HRQOL in patients with longstanding RA.
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