Larsen grades in evaluating the first carpometacarpal joint.
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate different Larsen grades for CMC I.


METHODS
In the Heinola Follow-up Survey of Arthritis 103 seropositive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were followed prospectively over 20 years. Hand radiographs were taken at onset and at 1, 3, 8, 15, and 20 years from entry. One female patient was selected to demonstrate Larsen grades for CMC I, as she presented all the different grades of destruction during the progression of RA. Interobserver and intraobserver errors in grading of CMC I were tested.


RESULTS
Radiographs of the different grades with schematic presentation are illustrated. Interobserver and intraobserver errors were in the Weighted Kappa test 0.75 and 0.82, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We emphasise the importance of following the destruction of CMC I separate from the entire carpus during the course of RA.
Belt
E A
EA
Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland.
Lehtivuori
J I
JI
Kaarela
K
K
Kauppi
M J
MJ
Lehtinen
J T
JT
Lehto
M U
MU
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors