View source for Disease Activity Score (DAS)

== Description ==
The Disease Activity Score (DAS) was created as a numerical tool for quantifying and assessing disease activity in [[Rheumatoid Arthritis|rheumatoid arthritis (RA)]] in various settings, including routine clinical practice, clinical trials, and long-term observational studies. It serves as a comprehensive and continuous measurement of RA disease activity, integrating data from factors such as swollen and tender joints, markers of acute inflammation, and the patient's self-reported assessment of their overall health.<ref name=":0">Van Riel PL. [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Piet-Riel/publication/268987832_The_development_of_the_disease_activity_score_DAS_and_the_disease_activity_score_using_28_joint_counts_DAS28/links/5490037e0cf225bf66a80a84/The-development-of-the-disease-activity-score-DAS-and-the-disease-activity-score-using-28-joint-counts-DAS28.pdf The development of the disease activity score (DAS) and the disease activity score using 28 joint counts (DAS28)]. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2014 Sep 1;32(5 Suppl 85):S65-74.</ref><ref name=":1">Van Riel PL, Renskers L. [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lisanne-Renskers/publication/316951843_The_Disease_Activity_Score_DAS_and_the_Disease_Activity_Score_using_28_joint_counts_DAS28_in_the_management_of_rheumatoid_arthritis/links/59a534a2a6fdcc773a3b19f3/The-Disease-Activity-Score-DAS-and-the-Disease-Activity-Score-using-28-joint-counts-DAS28-in-the-management-of-rheumatoid-arthritis.pdf The Disease Activity Score (DAS) and the Disease Activity Score using 28 joint counts (DAS28) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.] Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2016 Oct;34(5 Suppl 101):S40-4.</ref>

The DAS28 (Disease Activity Score using 28 joint counts) was developed from the original DAS (Disease Activity Score). Unlike the traditional DAS, the DAS28 simplified the process by reducing the number of joints assessed to 28 and eliminated the grading of joints.<ref name=":2">Nielung L, Christensen R, Danneskiold-Samsøe B, Bliddal H, Holm CC, Ellegaard K, Jensen HS, Bartels EM. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303021/ Validity and agreement between the 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.] Arthritis. 2015;2015.</ref>

The DAS28 evaluates the disease activity by assessing the number of tender and swollen joints in a patient. Specifically, it considers 28 joints. The DAS28 also takes into account a blood marker of inflammation, typically the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or the C-reactive protein (CRP) level.<ref name=":2" /> These markers help quantify the degree of systemic inflammation associated with the condition. Patients are also asked to rate their overall health or disease activity on a numerical scale. Using these, the DAS28 calculates a numerical score that reflects the disease activity.
The interpretation of DAS28 scores typically falls into categories such as:

* Low disease activity
* Moderate disease activity
* High disease activity
* Remission
Lower DAS28 scores generally indicate lower disease activity, while higher scores suggest more active disease.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />