WEIGHTING FOR JOINT SURFACE-AREA IMPROVES THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BYA REDUCED 28-JOINT ARTICULAR INDEX OF SWOLLEN JOINTS

The objective of our study was to examine whether weighting for joint surface area or recording of simultaneously tender and swollen joints increases the association of a reduced 28-joint articular index with c linical and outcome parameters. In a cross-sectional study we examined 61 consecutive outpatients with RA fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria. Tender, swollen, and simultaneousl y tender and swollen joints were recorded. The association of 28- and 68-joint articular indices with clinical and outcome parameters were e stimated with nonparametric correlation analyses. Weighting for joint surface yielded consistently increased correlation of clinical and out come parameters with swollen and tender and swollen but not with tende r joint counts. The correlation of the 28-joint articular and 68-artic ular indices with these parameters were similar. In conclusion, weight ing for joint surface notably improves the information provided by swo llen joint counts, whereas it does not appear to improve the informati on provided by tender joint counts.