[Diagnosis of early arthritis].
The diagnosis of early arthritis is often difficult even though it is an important issue. A step-by-step clinical examination is necessary to make the diagnosis of "joint emergency": an infection must be suspected when fever is associated with arthritis. Then, classification of early arthritis will be carried on with a special attention to rheumatoid arthritis when the rheumatism is persistent and erosive. However, arthritis might be undifferentiated for several months to years; such an explanation should be given to the patient. A tight follow-up is necessary.
Service de rhumatologie et Inserm U 519, IFR 23, CHU de Rouen. xavier.le-loet@chu-rouen.fr
Xavier
X
Le Loët
Nathalie
N
Klemmer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000175:diagnosis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors