Just released from the ASAS factory! First steps towards a disease activity score for ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) initiative started in 1992 with a consensus conference on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outcome measures, but very early on scientists involved in the care of patients with AS spun off as an independent group to develop a core set of domains to measure in AS. This spin off was called ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society), and its results were first presented at OMERACT 4. Since then, the group has comprised a tightly integrated and highly motivated group of clinical researchers, independently producing first-class material in the area of outcome measurement, whilst remaining closely linked to OMERACT, both through adoption of OMERACT methodology and by bringing ASAS results to the OMERACT meetings for endorsement. It is no exaggeration to say that the development of AS as an indication for biological treatment was greatly speeded up by the work of ASAS on measurement methodology.