Prognosis of inflammatory joint diseases. A three-year follow-up study

Scand J Rheumatol. 1983;12(1):33-8. doi: 10.3109/03009748309102001.

Abstract

The prognosis 3 years after the onset of the disease was studied in 107 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis, 161 with probable RA or non-specific arthritis, 84 with either ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's disease or reactive arthritis, 14 with psoriatic arthritis and 10 with a systemic connective tissue disease. Prognosis was measured by clinical involvement of joints, radiological erosions in joints, deterioration in joint function, ESR, and working ability. A total of 44% of all patients were symptomless after 3 years. The prognosis was best in patients with an "HLA B 27-associated" disease and non-specific arthritis, and worst in RA. Two patients died during the follow-up of systemic connective tissue disease and one committed suicide with an overdose of hydroxychloroquine. Two HLA B27-positive patients developed systemic amyloidosis.

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis / physiopathology
  • Arthritis, Reactive / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • Connective Tissue Diseases / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Psoriasis / diagnosis
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / diagnosis