[Radiologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis in early basic drug therapy]

Wien Med Wochenschr Suppl. 2002:(113):46-7.
[Article in German]

Abstract

For therapy and follow-up control in early disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA), objective quantification is still lacking. Therefore, radiological analyses are considered the most appropriate method. One aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the time-dependent progression of joint damage in RA patients on DMARDs. Outpatient records and radiographs from hands and feet of 54 RA patients on DMARDs were evaluated. Radiographs were quantified by using the original Larsen score and a newly developed computer-assisted quantification software. Our observations showed that radiologically-detectable damage in all patients, regardless of their treatment, is most pronounced during the first year of disease, being mitigated and generally progressing linearly in the subsequent years. Cumulative ESR correlated with RA progression, and its reduction with therapeutic efficacy.

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / classification
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Foot Deformities, Acquired / classification
  • Foot Deformities, Acquired / diagnostic imaging*
  • Foot Deformities, Acquired / drug therapy
  • Hand Deformities, Acquired / classification
  • Hand Deformities, Acquired / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hand Deformities, Acquired / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents