The development of a risk threshold to aid risk stratified approach to monitoring for haematological, hepatic and/or renal adverse drug reactions during established cs DMARD treatment for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method consensus study

Objective: To explore how appropriate different intervals between monitoring blood tests are considered in relation to the risk of clinically significant adverse drug reactions in adults prescribed conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) for ≥1 year for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). Methods: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method consensus study was undertaken. Members of the BSR csDMARD guideline working group who manage adults with SARD participated. Experts rated the extent to which intervals between blood tests were appropriate using Likert-type scales with responses from 1 (totally inappropriate) to 9 (totally appropriate) for nine scenarios with 5-year predicted risk of discontinuing treatment due to abnormal monitoring blood tests from 5% to 25%. Median score and the number that voted 1-3 (inappropriate), 4-6 (unsure) and 7-9 (appropriate) were calculated for every interval in each scenario. Scenarios for which agreement could not be reached in the first round were recirculated, enclosing individual round 1 response and the panel median score. Consensus that an interval was appropriate for a scenario was reached where the median panel score was ≥7 and up to six experts rated <7. The results were discussed with patient and public involvement members and experts. Results: Twenty-one of the 27 invitees participated. They comprised 11 consultants/GPs, five specialist nurses, three pharmacists and two rheumatology specialty trainees. Consensus was reached for all scenarios. Six- and three-monthly blood tests were agreed as appropriate when the predicted risk was ≤10% and >10% over 5 years, respectively. Conclusion: A threshold to aid risk-stratified monitoring during established csDMARD treatment was agreed for adults with SARD. Keywords: adverse drug reaction; csDMARDs; monitoring; risk-stratification.

Citation

Ablewhite et al (2026). The development of a risk threshold to aid risk stratified approach to monitoring for haematological, hepatic and/or renal adverse drug reactions during established cs DMARD treatment for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: a RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method consensus study. Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 65(2), keag031. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keag031

DOI

10.1093/rheumatology/keag031

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14709/1284

License

CC BY-NC 4.0

cbn

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CC BY-NC 4.0

License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/