Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
04:50

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain

Published on: May 16, 2025

1.4K

Content and construct validity of the Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index in patients with gout

Bart Spaetgens1, José M A Wijnands2, Caroline van Durme3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, CAPHRI Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands and bartholomeus.spaetgens@mumc.nl.

Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|April 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index (RDCI) and a modified version (mRDCI) show good validity for assessing comorbidities in gout patients. These tools help understand how comorbidities impact patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

  • Gout is frequently associated with multiple comorbidities.
  • Validated comorbidity measures are lacking for clinical studies in gout patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the content and construct validity of the Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index (RDCI) and a modified RDCI (mRDCI) in gout patients.
  • To assess the utility of these indices in understanding the impact of comorbidities on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 122 gout patients.
  • Data collected via interviews, chart review, and clinical examination.
  • RDCI/mRDCI computed and compared with other indices (CCI, FCI) and health outcomes using correlation and regression analyses.

Main Results:

  • High correlation (0.86) between RDCI and mRDCI.
  • RDCI/mRDCI showed strong correlations with other comorbidity indices (0.72-0.88).
  • Both indices demonstrated association with physical functioning, health status, and healthcare costs.

Conclusions:

  • The RDCI and mRDCI possess adequate content and construct validity for use in gout research.
  • These indices are suitable for evaluating the influence of comorbidities on outcomes in gout patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
HRQOLRheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Indexco-morbiditiesgoutphysical function

More Related Videos

Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy06:45

Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy

Published on: November 28, 2025

294
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Through HR-pQCT Imaging Analysis06:31

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Through HR-pQCT Imaging Analysis

Published on: October 6, 2023

3.5K

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
1.2K
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management01:21

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
523
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
964
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
16.9K
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management01:20

Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
466
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
704