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Ann Rheum Dis 2002;61:626-629 doi:10.1136/ard.61.7.626
  • Concise report

Laboratory and imaging studies used by French rheumatologists to determine the cause of recent onset polyarthritis without extra-articular manifestations

  1. A Saraux1,
  2. J F Maillefert2,
  3. B Fautrel3,
  4. R M Flipo4,
  5. O Kaye6,
  6. P Lafforgue5,
  7. F Guillemin7,
  8. E Botton1,
  9. The Club Rhumatisme Et Inflammation
  1. 1Rheumatology Unit, Brest Teaching Hospital, France
  2. 2Rheumatology Unit, Dijon Teaching Hospital, France
  3. 3Rheumatology Unit, Paris La Pitié Teaching Hospital, France
  4. 4Rheumatology Unit, Lille Teaching Hospital, France
  5. 5Rheumatology Unit, Marseille La Timone Teaching Hospital, France
  6. 6Rheumatology Unit of the Liége Teaching Hospital, Belgium
  7. 7School of Public Health, EA 3444, Nancy, France
  1. Correspondence to:
    Professor A Saraux, Rheumatology Unit, CHU Cavale Blanche Hospital, Brest Teaching Hospital, BP 814, F 29609 Brest Cedex, France;
    alain.saraux{at}chu-brest.fr
  • Accepted 7 January 2002

Abstract

Background: The cause of recent onset polyarthritis can be difficult to identify.

Objective: To determine which laboratory and imaging studies French rheumatologists recommend, not taking cost into account, for the diagnosis of recent onset polyarthritis without extra-articular manifestations.

Methods: From the list of the French Society for Rheumatology, a random sample of 210 rheumatologists was selected, who were asked to complete a questionnaire on the laboratory and imaging studies they would recommend in two fictional cases of recent onset polyarthritis (possible rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—case 1 and probable RA—case 2).

Results: In case 1, the following were recommended by over 75% of respondents: hand radiographs, rheumatoid factors (RFs), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) (92%, 98%, and 98%, respectively). 50–74% of respondents recommended radiographs of the feet, knees, and chest (50%, 57%, and 66%, respectively); blood cell counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum assays of C reactive protein (CRP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (65%, 74%, 67%, and 62%, respectively). 25–49% recommended determination of creatinine and proteinuria, HLA-B27, antikeratin antibody, radiographs of the pelvis, and synovial fluid analysis. Several investigations were recommended less often in case 2 than in case 1. Nevertheless, some laboratory and imaging studies (radiographs of hand, feet, knees, chest x rays, blood cell counts, ANA, RF, antikeratin antibody, CRP, ESR, creatinine, AST and ALT, proteinuria, and joint aspiration) were recommended by more than 25% of respondents in both cases.

Conclusion: Wide variations were found among rheumatologists, indicating a need for standardisation. Some laboratory and imaging studies are recommended by at least 25% of respondents in recent onset polyarthritis with or without clues suggesting RA. In contrast, many tests were considered useful by fewer than 25% of the respondents in both cases.

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