Damage indices in rheumatic diseases: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To review the current literature, and evaluate the psychometric properties of disease damage indices in rheumatic diseases. Methods: A search of Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to June 2018 to identify damage indices in all systemic rheumatic diseases. Articles were included in a systematic review if indices were composite (multi-organ) in nature and if adequate detail on methodology was described. Articles pertaining to the validation of these indices were also reviewed in order to assess the psychometric properties of the indices using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT) filter as a guide. Results: Of the 2659 ar..