Reactive Arthritis (DAREA) Disease Activity Index

Parameters for index:

(1) number of swollen joints

(2) number of tender joints

(3) patient's pain assessment

(4) patient's global assessment

(5) C-reactive protein in mg/dL (direct value used)

where:

• Minimal pain would probably be scored as 0.

• The number of swollen joints and of tender joints both were 0 to 5. Higher values might require reconsideration of the diagnosis.

DAREA score =

= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum index: 0

• maximum index: variable (perhaps around 24)

• The higher the index the greater the disease activity.

Performance (page 151):

• The index variables showed face and content validity.

• The score correlated with the physician's global assessment (criterion validity).

• A high score correlated with active disease, with a drop in the score correlated with clinical improvement (construct validity).