Surrogate outcomes, which are indirect measures used to predict the effects of an intervention on a patient's health, can provide valuable insights in studies where direct outcomes are difficult to measure. However, these outcomes need to be properly validated to ensure they are reliable indicators of true clinical benefits or risks.

In the context of rheumatology, where many diseases are chronic and have long-term impacts, surrogate outcomes can play a significant role in clinical trials and observational studies. Our working group has been actively engaged in exploring the use of surrogate outcomes in rheumatology, with a focus on ensuring their validity, reliability, and clinical meaningfulness.