Radiologically observed progression of joint destruction and its relationship with demographic factors, disease severity, and exercise frequency in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate the 4-year progression of radiologically observed joint destruction and its relationship with demographic factors, disease severity, and exercise frequency in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
The subjects were 69 patients (56 women, 13 men; mean age = 54 years; mean duration of symptoms = 14 years) with American Rheumatism Association functional class II rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
The patients were assessed with a modified Larsen's radiological index (maximum score = 220), laboratory tests, Ritchie's articular index, and questionnaires regarding their self-selected low-intensive-intensive dynamic exercise frequency.


RESULTS
The Larsen's radiological index was initially 67 (SD = 42.4) and progressed to 82 (SD = 42.3) during the 4-year study period. Four-year radiological progression correlated with mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (30 mm/h, SD = 12.6), but not with self-selected exercise frequency (< or = once a week or > or = twice a week) or with any other variables investigated.


CONCLUSIONS
The radiologically observed progression of joint destruction seemed rather slow in this group of nonhospitalized, functionally independent patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and it was only related with mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Self-selected exercise frequency did not seem to be related with radiologically observed progression of joint destruction.
Stenström
C H
CH
Kullbergska Hospital, Katrineholm, Sweden.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001175:Arthrography; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003710:Demography; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index