The effect of treatment on a patient, which may be measured in a number of ways. Objective measures (outcomes) are independent of the opinion of the patient, e.g. radiologic joint damage (X-rays), biological blood tests (rheum factor, serum levels of MMPs, ECR and CRP). More subjective outcomes are based on the experience or opinion by the patient, e.g. questionnaires like HAQ which asks about function, or a 0-10 scale that asks about pain severity. Outcome expectancy is a belief that certain behaviour will lead to a certain outcome (e.g. pacing one’s lifestyle will lead to reduced fatigue) and is based on the patient’s knowledge of RA management.
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