Relationship of radiological change to clinical outcome in rheumatoid arthritis

Ann Rheum Dis. 1977 Jun;36(3):274-5. doi: 10.1136/ard.36.3.274.

Abstract

Ninety-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis, seen within the first year after onset, have been followed prospectively with annual radiographs for a mean 63-1 months. An erosive arthropathy occurred in 72. The severity of the erosive changes showed a significant correlation with eventual clinical outcome. It is possible to predict a favourable outcome in those patients whose erosive changes become static at an early stage in the disease.

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Radiography