2026 EULAR updated standardised operating procedures and methods for the development of recommendations or points to consider for the diagnosis and management of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

Abstract

Recommendations and points to consider (PtCs) are important tools to improve the quality-of-care for people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). An important requirement of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations and PtCs is that they resonate with clinical experience and are practical, easy to understand, and actionable. At the same time, they should commit to the 3 pillars of evidence-based medicine (best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences) and to good clinical practice and they should include a responsible level of cost-consciousness. The target audience for recommendations and PtCs consists of people living with RMDs, health professionals in rheumatology (HPRs), rheumatologists, RMD researchers, and national and international policy- and decision-makers worldwide. This article describes the structure and key principles of the EULAR standard operating procedures (SOPs) to develop recommendations and PtCs. For the most recent updates to the SOP, the 'living document' that is gradually adapted over time, can be found on the EULAR website and should be consulted. The main steps in developing recommendations and PtCs include convening an appropriate list of experts and patient-research partners (PRPs), performing a literature review, then performing a process to develop consensus. The SOP ensure EULAR recommendations and PtCs continue to reflect scientific rigour, feasibility, and value for health professionals, people living with RMDs, and policymakers.