title: Lack of correlation between the Steinbrocker staging of hand radiographs and the functional health status of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We evaluated the correlation between destructive changes seen on hand radiographs and disability in 54 patients with definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis. No statistically significant correlation was found between radiographic findings and patient disability as determined by patient and physician assessment or by the patient's score on the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales questionnaire. These findings call into question the appropriateness of using hand radiographs as a determinant of disability or as a criterion for disability insurance benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, NH 03756.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Regan-Smith
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Kwoh
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Olmstead
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Burnett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006262:Health; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D010820:Physicians; D011859:Radiography