Outcome Measures in Rheumatology


Outcome Measures in Rheumatology 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....

Founding and organization

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.

Mission and activities

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.
  • Engaging stakeholders including patients since 2002
  • Developing and updating core sets of measures for rheumatologic conditions.

Impact and achievements

OMERACT has achieved consensus on Core Outcome Sets for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. The measures endorsed by OMERACT are widely adopted in clinical trials and systematic reviews, contributing to standardization in the field. OMERACT’s methodology has been emulated in other medical fields and international collaborations

Governance and funding

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