Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) is an international initiative aimed at improving outcome measurement in rheumatology. Established in 1992, OMERACT organizes biennial consensus conferences to develop and refine core sets of measures for rheumatologic conditions, with an emphasis on data-driven recommendations...[1].

OMERACT
FormerlyOutcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (1992–1996)
IndustryMedical Research
FoundedApril 29, 1992; 32 years ago (1992-04-29) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Founders
Key people
  • Dr. Peter Tugwell, Chair
  • Dr. Dorcas Beaton, Chair - Methods
  • Dr. Philip Conaghan, Deputy Chair
  • Catherine Hofstetter, Chair - Patient Research Partners
  • Dr. Lee Simon, Chair - Finances
Websitewww.omeract.org

Founding and organization

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OMERACT was initiated by Dr. Peter Tugwell and Dr. Maarten Boers, who observed discrepancies in outcome measures between European and North American rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials. The first conference was held in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in 1992. The initiative was originally chaired by 4 member executive committee consisting of Dr. Maarten Boers, Dr. Peter Brooks, Dr. Peter Tugwell, and Dr. Vibeke Strand.[2]

Mission and activities

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OMERACT's mission is to improve endpoint outcome measurement through an iterative, data-driven process. The key activities include:

  • Organizing consensus conferences every two years.[3]
  • Engaging stakeholders including patients since 2002[4]
  • Developing and updating core sets of measures for rheumatologic conditions.[1]

Impact and achievements

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OMERACT has achieved consensus on Core Outcome Sets for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis.[5] The measures endorsed by OMERACT are widely adopted in clinical trials and systematic reviews, contributing to standardization in the field.[2] OMERACT’s methodology has been emulated in other medical fields and international collaborations [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Governance and funding

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OMERACT operates as a registered not-for-profit organization in Canada[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tugwell, Peter; Boers, Maarten; Brooks, Peter; Simon, Lee; Strand, Vibeke; Idzerda, Leanne (2007-11-26). "OMERACT: An international initiative to improve outcome measurement in rheumatology". Trials. 8 (1): 38. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-8-38. ISSN 1745-6215. PMC 2169260. PMID 18039364.
  2. ^ a b "Rheumatology's Divergent Thinkers". The Rheumatologist. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  3. ^ "OMERACT continues to set standards on research outcomes, enhancing the patient voice". www.mdedge.com. August 30, 2022. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  4. ^ de Wit, Maarten; Kirwan, John R.; Tugwell, Peter; Beaton, Dorcas; Boers, Maarten; Brooks, Peter; Collins, Sarah; Conaghan, Philip G.; D'Agostino, Maria-Antonietta; Hofstetter, Cathie; Hughes, Rod; Leong, Amye; Lyddiatt, Ann; March, Lyn; May, James (April 2017). "Successful Stepwise Development of Patient Research Partnership: 14 Years' Experience of Actions and Consequences in Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT)". The Patient. 10 (2): 141–152. doi:10.1007/s40271-016-0198-4. ISSN 1178-1661. PMC 5362656. PMID 27704486.
  5. ^ Firestein, Gary S. (2021). Firestein & Kelley's textbook of rheumatology. Ralph C. Budd, Sherine E. Gabriel, Gary A. Koretzky, Iain B. McInnes, James R. O'Dell (11. ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-63920-0.
  6. ^ "COMET Initiative | Collaborations". comet-initiative.org. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  7. ^ "About the initiative • COSMIN". COSMIN. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  8. ^ "Research Methods". www.c3outcomes.org. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  9. ^ "Related Organizations". GRAPPA Network. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  10. ^ "About – SONG". Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  11. ^ "International Dermatology Outcome Measures - Collaborators". www.dermoutcomes.org. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  12. ^ Research, Center for Drug Evaluation and (2024-04-29). "Scientific Public Private Partnerships and Consortia". FDA.
  13. ^ "News - ASAS". www.asas-group.org. 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  14. ^ "Federal Corporation Information - 433818-9". Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2024.