Proposing a method of regional assessment and a novel outcome measure in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Aug;32(8):2569-71. doi: 10.1007/s00296-011-2058-9. Epub 2011 Jul 26.

Abstract

We proposed a method of regional assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The utility of this method was demonstrated by assessing drug efficacy in patients who received infliximab (n = 31) or tocilizumab (n = 6). Joints were divided into four regions: upper/large, upper/small, lower/large, and lower/small. The total joint index was calculated as follows: the sum of tender and swollen joint counts divided by the number of evaluable joints in each region. At the baseline, the total joint index of the upper/small region was the lowest and that of the lower/large region was the highest compared with other regions. The change in the total joint index from the baseline to the 30-week point (Δ) did not differ among the four regions. There were significant close relations of Δ between the upper/small and the upper/large region and between the lower/small and the lower/large region. This method allows us to focus on a specific region and to compare and contrast among them.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Japan
  • Joints / drug effects*
  • Joints / pathology*
  • Joints / physiopathology
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Infliximab
  • tocilizumab