Table 1 Parameters for disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis

Rheumatoid arthritis

   Swollen joint count (SJC)

Number of swollen joints as determined by the physician out of a standard set of 28 joints

   Tender joint count (TJC)

Number of joints tender to palpation (as for SJC)

   Patient assessment of pain

Measured by 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS)

   Patient assessment of global disease activity

Measured by 100 mm VAS

   Physician assessment of global disease activity

Measured on a six-point scale ranging from 'no activity' to 'maximum activity'

   Acute phase reactant

ESR (mm/h) and/or CRP (mg/l)

   Health Assessment questionnaire (HAQ)

Assessment of functional status (0 to 3 points)

   EuroQol five dimensions utility score (EQ-5D)

Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (0 to 1)

   Disease Activity Score (DAS28)

Assessment of disease activity computed using SJC, TJC, ESR and patient assessment of global disease activity, based on 28 joints. Termed DAS28-CRP when CRP is used instead of ESR

Inflammatory bowel disease

   Hemoglobin level

Measure in g/l

   Acute phase reactant

ESR (mm/h) and/or CRP (mg/l)

   Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI)

Assessment of disease activity completed by both patient and physician

   Short Health Scale (SHS)

Assessment of HRQOL in four domains, measured by 100 mm VAS

Psoriasis

   Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)

Assessment of extent and severity of skin lesions consisting of four components; scaling, redness, extent and elevation (0 to 72 points)

   Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)

Assessment of the effect of skin disease on HRQOL (0 to 30 points)