title: A simple pressure dolorimeter for the quantification of joint tenderness in inflammatory arthritis.
abstract: A simple pressure dolorimeter for the detection and quantification of joint tenderness is described and evaluated. The pressure dolorimeter was more sensitive than a modified Ritchie Index in measuring degree of joint tenderness and as sensitive in detecting tender joints. The interobserver error of the pressure dolorimeter was low, and in a drug withdrawal study, the pressure dolorimeter was able to detect change in joint tenderness whereas the conventional Ritchie Index was not. These results suggest that the pressure dolorimeter is a simple, reliable and sensitive instrument for measuring joint tenderness in patients with inflammatory joint disease. It is also inexpensive and readily available.
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009288:Naproxen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010894:Piroxicam; D011312:Pressure; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D013843:Thiazines; D010894:Piroxicam; D009288:Naproxen