title: Lack of objective evidence of stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Metacarpophalangeal joint stiffness was measured using a new microprocessor controlled arthrograph in 135 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Subjects were prospectively subdivided according to the stage of the disease in the joint. Compared with a normal population stiffness variables in active rheumatoid arthritis were decreased, significantly so for non-elastic stiffness. This study casts doubts on the literal interpretation of symptomatic stiffness as an indicator of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis and suggests a number of explanations for the discordant result.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Medicine, General Infirmary, Leeds.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Helliwell
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001175:Arthrography; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged