Study Further Validates LFA-REAL Disease Activity Measurement Tool for Establishing Lupus Disease Severity
A new Peruvian study finds the Lupus Foundation of America's REAL™ (Rapid Evaluation of Activity in Lupus) clinician-reported outcome (ClinRO) and patient-reported outcome (PRO) effectively help evaluate disease activity in people with lupus from both the physician’s and the patient’s perspectives. Developed by the Lupus Foundation of America, LFA-REAL is a disease activity measurement tool that uniquely incorporates both clinician and patient assessments to determine lupus disease severity. The ability to accurately measure lupus disease activity is very challenging, yet paramount to the research process and to determine drug efficacy.
A group of 220 people with lupus were evaluated using the LFA-REAL tool, plus three other tools (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), clinical SLEDAI-2K, and Physician Global Assessment) frequently used to measure lupus disease outcomes.
- Physician scores similarly correlated with patient scores on various disease markers, such as arthritis, cardiorespiratory involvement (chest paint, shortness of breath), and swelling in the legs.
“While the LFA-REAL cannot make lupus simple, it can make disease activity understandable. The LFA-REAL instruments maintain the simplicity of the global assessments, but are as comprehensive as other outcome measures that are more difficult to understand and score. Direct involvement of patients in how we design outcomes in lupus is not just high-minded talk any more. The FDA required it. The LFA is making it happen,” shared study authors:
- Anca D. Askanase, MD, MPH, Lupus Foundation of America, Medical-Scientific Advisory Council member
- Joan T. Merrill, M.D., Lupus Foundation of America Chief Advisor, Clinical Development
- Manuel Francisco Ugarte-Gil, MD, MSc, Lead Author
Learn more about the LFA-REAL lupus measurement tool.