title: Evaluation of the Thompson articular index.
abstract: Three articular indices for measuring disease activity are compared. In a cross sectional study the Thompson articular index (a modified Lansbury index) correlated better with laboratory variables than the Ritchie articular index or a swollen joint score (Thompson 0.74-0.77; Ritchie 0.57-0.58; swollen joint count 0.51-0.59). In a longitudinal study it was shown that the Thompson articular index is sensitive to detect changes of disease activity. We suggest that this index is appropriate for clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: van den Brink
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Heide
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van der Veen
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bijlsma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein