RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Early rheumatoid disease. I. Onset. JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO Ann Rheum Dis FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism SP 357 OP 360 DO 10.1136/ard.35.4.357 VO 35 IS 4 A1 A Fleming A1 J M Crown A1 M Corbett YR 1976 UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/35/4/357.abstract AB We describe features with onset in 102 patients seen within the first year of rheumatoid disease. The male:female ratio was approximately 3:4, suggesting a near equal sex incidence at onset. The disease started more often in the colder months and was usually insodious, symmetrical, and involved the upper limbs. The patients were followed prospectively and outcome was assessed after a mean of 4.5 years. Older patients fared worse and there was a trend for a poorer prognosis to be indicated by an insidious onset and early progression to symmetrical involvement.