Functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis: two different models in early and established disease

J Rheumatol. 1992 Mar;19(3):366-9.

Abstract

A hypothesis that the development of functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would be more rapid at the beginning than in established disease was studied in a group of 82 patients with RA referred to the Rheumatology Unit of Nancy, France. The relationship between disease activity, articular destruction and functional disability indicated a significant interaction (moderating effect) of disease duration. Two different models are proposed to explain functional disability. A model for early RA (less than 5 years duration) includes biological activity, and a model for established disease (more than 5 years) includes disease duration, extraarticular lesions and radiographic damage. These models could be useful in designs of therapeutic trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology*
  • Disability Evaluation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological*
  • Regression Analysis