title: Significant changes in Ritchie scores.
abstract: A study was designed to establish the reliability of assessing joint tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis. Reliability both within and between observers was measured and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for a change in score calculated. Forty-two patients were assessed by two metrologists over a 14-week period using three subjects per week. Results showed close agreement within and between metrologists. The 95% CI for repeat measures by the same metrologist was +/- 8.5 and +/- 12 by a different metrologist. Taking a change of 5 in the score as clinically significant, the 95% CI for a clinically significant change would be +/- 14 with one observer and +/- 17 when a different observer repeated the assessment. It is recommended that other centres should establish their own CI for a change in scores when undertaking clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Rumfeld
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Coles
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Jessop
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D013223:Statistics as Topic