Rheumatology function tests: grip strength, walking time, button test and questionnaires document and predict longterm morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis

J Rheumatol. 1992 Jul;19(7):1051-7.

Abstract

Four quantitative measures of functional status, grip strength, walking time, the button test, and a questionnaire regarding activities of daily living, were assessed nine years apart in 75 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After 9 years, 20 patients had died; none were lost to followup. Functional status had declined in more than 80% of patients according to each of the 4 measures, and patients with poor values at baseline were most likely to die over the next 5 years, as reported. We report that baseline values of these measures of functional status were predictive of values 9 years later. These measures may be regarded as "rheumatology function tests" to document and predict morbidity and mortality in RA over long periods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / mortality
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Morbidity
  • Muscles / physiology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Walking*