title: Evaluation of outcomes in total joint arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: As the causes of most chronic diseases are multifactorial, so are their outcomes. The first two decades of joint arthroplasty witnessed rapid technologic advances and diffusion. Short-term outcomes measured by traditional clinical parameters show remarkable successes. Long-term results measured traditionally and including patient- and society-oriented outcomes, e.g., health status, cost, and satisfaction, need greater emphasis in the evaluation of surgical management of polyarticular disease. Long-term studies that use standardized outcome measurement are crucial in the future development of the technology and in the refinement of patient selection criteria to achieve optimal outcome. A larger view of the end-results can be measured reliably, but their interpretation and refinement need careful study.
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States