Body (1)

What is a Core Outcome Set (COS)?

A Core Outcome Set (COS) is an agreed minimum set of outcome domains and corresponding measurement instruments that should be measured and reported in all clinical trials or studies for a specific health condition or intervention. These sets ensure consistency, comparability, and relevance of research findings across studies—supporting decision-making by patients, clinicians, regulators, and policymakers.

OMERACT COS are developed using a rigorous, transparent, and consensus-driven process that includes perspectives from researchers, clinicians, methodologists, regulators, and—critically—patient research partners (PRPs). This ensures the outcomes reflect what matters most to those living with the condition.

Explore Published OMERACT Core Outcome Sets

Below is a list of published Core Outcome Sets that have been developed through the OMERACT process. Each set includes links to the working group webpages to find relevant publications and ongoing updates.

Condition Core Domains Endorsed Instruments Working Group Page
Joint Health Conditions
OMERACT Core Domains for Musculoskeletal Health Research OMERACT Core Domains for Musculoskeletal Health Research Visit WG Webpage
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Pain Intensity
Pain Interference
Physical Function
Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity ASDAS (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score) Visit WG Webpage
Patient global assessment of disease activity (NRS)
SPARCC MRI activity of the SIJ
SPARCC MRI activity of the spine
Fatigue NRS fatigue (BASDAI Q1)
Morning Stiffness Severity and duration of stiffness (BASDAI (Q5 +Q6)/2)
Overall Functioning & Health ASAS-HI
Pain NRS total back pain (BASDAI Q2)
Physical Functioning BASFI
Adverse Events including Death
Circumstance-dependent Core Domains:
Extra-musculoskeletal manifestations AAU
IBD
Psoriasis
Peripheral manifestations 44 swollen joint count
Dactylitis count (including active fingers and/or toes)
MASES
Structural Damage mSASSS
Gout - Acute Activity Limitations Visit WG Webpage
Joint Swelling 4-point Likert Scale
Joint Tenderness 4-point Likert Scale
Pain 5-point Likert Sale or VAS
Patient Global Assessment 5-point Likert Scale
Gout - Chronic Acute Gout Attack
Activity Limitations
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Pain
Patient Global Assessment
Serum Urate
Tophus Burden
Hand Osteoarthritis (OA) Hand Strength Visit WG Webpage
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Joint activity
Pain
Patient Global Assessment
Physical Function AUSCAN
MHQ
Hip & Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) Joint Structure Visit WG Webpage
Pain
Patient Global Assessment
Physical Function
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Adverse events including death
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Activity limitations/physical function Visit WG Webpage
Joint inflammatory signs
Pain
Patient perception of overall well-being related to disease      •Overall well-being      •Disease activity
Adverse events including death
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Pain Visit WG Webpage
Physical Function
Stiffness
Systemic Inflammation (laboratory blood tests)
Adverse Events including Death
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Fatigue Visit WG Webpage
HRQOL PsAIS12
MSK Disease Activity 66/68 Joint Count
Pain
Physical function HAQ-DI
SF-36
Physician’s Global
Skin Disease Activity
Systemic Inflammation
Rheumatoid Arthritis Acute phase reactants Visit WG Webpage
Fatigue
Pain
Patient global assessment
Physical disability
Physician global assessment
Radiographs of joints (In studies of 1 or more years’ duration)
Swollen joints
Tender joints
Shoulder Disorders Pain Visit WG Webpage
Patient global-shoulder
Physical function/activity; 
Adverse Events including Death
Systemic Rheumatologic Health Conditions
ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Disease Activity Visit WG Webpage
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Organ Damage Assessment
Adverse Events including Death
Behçet’s Syndrome  Disease Activity Visit WG Webpage
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
New Organ Involvement
Adverse Events including Death
Circumstance-dependent Core Domains:
Mucocutaneous
Number of lesions
Pain of lesions
Central Nervous System
CNS Lesion
Cognitive Function
Neurologic Function
Gastrointestinal
Clinical GI Activity
Endoscopic GI Activity
Vascular
Vascular Lesion
Thrombophlebitis
Post-Thrombotic Syndrome
Musculoskeletal
Tender Joints
Swollen Joints
Eye
Visual Acuity
Frequency of Attacks
Ocular Severity
Vascular Leakage
CTD-ILD Cough Visit WG Webpage
Dyspnea
Functional Status
HRQOL
Lung Imaging
Lung Physiology  Forced Vital Capacity
Adverse Events including Death
Fibromyalgia Fatigue Visit WG Webpage
Function
Joint Tenderness
Multidimensional
Pain
Patient Global Assessment
Sleep Disturbance
Large Vessel Vasculitis Arterial Function Visit WG Webpage
Biomarkers
Fatigue
Organ Function
Pain
Adverse events including death
Myositis Fatigue Visit WG Webpage
Pain
Physical Function
Adverse events including death
Osteoporosis Musculoskeletal Signs Of Fractures/Height Visit WG Webpage
Biomarkers: Fractures (Imaging) , Bone Metabolism (Soluble) , Bone Mineral Density (Other)
Systemic Sclerosis - Raynaud’s Phenomenon Duration Of Attacks Of RP Visit WG Webpage
Frequency Of Attacks Of RP
Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQoL)
Hospitalization Or Need For Urgent Intervention For RP
Impact Of RP On Daily Life/Adaptation
Impact Of RP On Function
Pain Intensity Due To RP
Severity Of Attacks Of Rp
Adverse Events, Including Death
Systemic Sclerosis - Digital Ulcers (DUs) Global Burden Of DUS
Healing Of DUS
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Hospitalization Or Need For Urgent Intervention For DUS
Impact Of DUS On Daily Life/Adaptation
Impact Of DUS On Function
Number Of DUS
Pain Intensity Due To DUS
Physician Global Assessment Of DUS
Adverse Events, Including Death
Systemic Lupus Erthematosus (currently being updated) Disease Activity Visit WG Webpage
Health-Related Quality Of Life (Hrqol)
Organ Damage
Adverse Events, Including Death
Scroll to Top