ASSESSMENT OF RADIOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITIES IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED AND WHERE SHOULD WE GO FROM HERE

Assessment of radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by scor ing methods is useful to describe the progression of disease, and is a n objective method of determining the effects of treatment. The histor y of the development of radiographic scoring methods is reviewed. None is ideal or truly quantitative and better methods are needed. Feature s of an ideal method are presented and the results of assessing treatm ent of RA by current methods of radiographic scoring are reviewed. Sug gestions are made regarding the design of future therapeutic trials to take advantage of study features most likely to yield conclusive resu lts by radiographic outcome assessment.