Evidence-based recommendations for the management of ankylosing spondylitis: systematic literature search of the 3E Initiative in Rheumatology involving a broad panel of experts and practising rheumatologists
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University of Crete, Medical School, Heraklion, Greece, 2Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey, 3Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Charite, University Medicine Berlin, Germany, 4Rheumatology Department, Cochin Teaching Hospital, School of Medicine, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France, 5Department of Rheumatology, Reina Sofia University Hospital of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain, 6Clinical Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria, 7Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Box 23 Vinderen, N-0319 Oslo, Norway, 8Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium, 9Servicio de Reumatologia, Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain, 10Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Potenza, Italy, 11Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark and 12Austin Spondylitis Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Correspondence to: P. I. Sidiropoulos, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University of Crete, Medical School, Voutes 71500, Heraklion, Greece. E-mail: sidiropp{at}med.uoc.gr
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Abstract |
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Objective. Recommendations and/or guidelines represent a popular way of integrating evidence-based medicine into clinical practice. The 3E Initiatives is a multi-national effort to develop recommendations for the management of rheumatic diseases, which involves a large number of experts combined with practising rheumatologists addressing specific questions relevant to clinical practice.
Methods. Ten countries participated in three rounds of discussions and votes concerning the management of AS. A set of nine questions was formulated in the domains of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment, after a Delphi procedure. A literature search in MedLine was conducted. Predefined outcome parameters for the domains of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment were assessed. The evidence to support each proposition was evaluated and scored. After discussion and votes, the final recommendations were presented using brief statements by each national group, following which the final international recommendations were formulated.
Results. A total of 2699 papers were found and 467 were selected for analysis. Twelve key recommendations were developed: three in the domain of diagnosis addressing general diagnostic considerations, early AS diagnosis and general practitioners’ referral recommendations; three concerning monitoring of AS disease activity, severity and prognosis; six concerning pharmacological treatment (except biologics): non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/COX-II inhibitors, bisphosphonates and treatment of enthesitis. The compiled agreement among experts ranged from 72% to 93%.
Conclusion. Recommendations for the management of AS were developed using an evidence-based approach followed by expert/physician consensus with high level of agreement. Involvement of a larger and more representative group of rheumatologists may improve their dissemination and implementation in daily clinical practice.
KEY WORDS: Ankylosing spondylitis, Systemic literature search, Recommendations, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, COX-II inhibitors, Monitoring, Diagnosis, Treatment
*PI Sidiropoulos, G Hatemi, I-H Song and J Avouac equally contributed to this work.
Submitted 21 May 2007;
revised version accepted 21 November 2007.
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