title: [Importance and value of roentgen studies as outcome criteria in rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: In order to evaluate the objectivity and validity of radiographic parameters in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) we studied 56 patients with definite RA. Inter-observer variation was assessed comparing the scorings (Larsen classification) of two independent experienced observers. Total radiographic scores were highly significantly correlated (r = 0.89). Yet, we could not find relevant associations between radiographic findings and clinical outcome parameters (pain, morning stiffness, dexterity, grip strength, and patient's overall assessment). Thus, hand radiographs in RA provide highly reproducible results. Its validity concerning patient outcome, however, has to be interpreted very carefully.
authors.affiliation: Rheumaklinik Bad Wurzach, zusammen mit der Universität Ulm.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Jaeckel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cziske
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuehn
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacobi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
vernacular_title: Wertigkeit und Aussagefähigkeit von Röntgenuntersuchungen als Outcome-Kriterium bei rheumatoider Arthritis.