title: Evaluation of a functional index and an articular index in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: We describe an index of functional impairment and a system of scoring joint tenderness for use in the assessment of ankylosing spondylitis. The functional index consists of 20 questions and the articular index is based on the scoring of a total of 10 joint responses after movement or firm digital pressure. These indices are simple to establish and not time consuming. They have a high degree of intra- and interobserver reproducibility. The indices showed changes in short term clinical trials of antiinflammatory drugs; these changes were highly correlated with the patient's overall assessment of his own clinical condition.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dougados
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gueguen
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nakache
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mery
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amor
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D010894:Piroxicam