Rheumatologists and primary care physicians may be more likely to utilize an uncomplicated, rapid method for assessing disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus if it requires little training or input from health care providers (SLE). The SIMPLE (Simple Disease Assessment for People with Lupus Erythematosus) index is simple and quick to compute composite numeric instruments. Researchers compared the SIMPLE index’s efficacy as a disease activity proxy to physician-based disease activity measurements in a prospective study. Ninety-nine individuals with SLE who consented and met the American College of Rheumatology’s categorization criteria were enlisted. During routine visits, the SELENA-SLEDAI (Safety of Estrogen in Lupus National Evaluation–Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index), physician global assessment, and SIMPLE index were acquired. The SIMPLE index is a patient-reported questionnaire with 17 items and two laboratory tests. Only the involvement of a healthcare professional is required to give laboratory findings (normal/abnormal) and to validate the patient’s current use and dose of glucocorticoids. The connection of the SIMPLE index with the SELENA-SLEDAI and physician global evaluation was determined using the Spearman test.

The average age (SD) was 39.7 (12.3). SIMPLE index and SELENA-SLEDAI had a correlation value of 0.56 (P=0.0001), whereas the SIMPLE index and physician global evaluation had a correlation coefficient of 0.54 (P=0.0001). The association of the SIMPLE index with SELENA-SLEDAI and physician global evaluation in SLE patients without fibromyalgia (FM) was 0.58 (P=0.0001) and 0.57 (P=0.0001), respectively. 

In those with SLE, the SIMPLE index is substantially connected with official physician ratings of disease activity, and the connection was slightly stronger in those who did not have FM. The SIMPLE index may be simply done in areas where physician and laboratory resources are limited.

Reference:journals.lww.com/jclinrheum/Abstract/2018/09000/Validation_of_SIMPLE_Index_for_Lupus_Disease.4.aspx

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