Measure the Impact of Glucocorticoid Therapy on Patient Well-Being and Quality of Life in Rheumatic Disease Management
18th September 2024
The Steroid PRO is now available to licence through the Clinical Outcomes team at Oxford University Innovation.
Glucocorticoids are widely prescribed for their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, but long-term use often results in significant side effects, impacting patients’ quality of life. To address this, Steroid PRO has been developed as the first validated and reliable patient-reported outcome measure (PRO) designed specifically to evaluate the well-being of patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapy.
Developed by researchers at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford and the University of the West of England, Steroid PRO offers healthcare providers and researchers a critical tool to better understand how long-term glucocorticoid use affects individuals, especially those with rheumatic diseases.
The four key domains evaluated by Steroid PRO include:
- Social Impact
- Impact on Appearance
- Psychological Impact
- Treatment Concerns
One of its unique features is its generic design. The measure refers broadly to “your condition” rather than focusing on specific diseases, allowing it to be used across various patient groups. Furthermore, it excludes disease-specific symptoms, making it highly adaptable.
Response options are provided on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from “Never” (0) to “Always” (4). The answers are then assigned numerical values based on frequency or impact, enabling the assessment of how steroid therapy influences different aspects of a patient’s life. These scores reflect both the severity and frequency of symptoms, as well as the broader impact of glucocorticoid treatment on overall well-being.
SteroidPRO is now available for licensing through the Clinical Outcomes team at Oxford University Innovation. For more details or to explore its use in clinical studies, visit the Steroid PRO profile page or contact healthoutcomes@innovation.ox.ac.uk.
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