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Rheumatoid Arthritis Criteria (1987 revision, American Rheumatism Association)   Morning stiffness Morning stiffness in and around the joints, lasting at least 1 hour before maximal improvement. (1 point) Arthritis of 3 or more joint areas At least 3 joint areas simultaneously have had soft tissue swelling or fluid (not bony overgrowth alone) observed by aphysician; the 14 possible joint areas are right or left proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, metacarpophalangeal (MCP)joints, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal (MPT) joints. (1 point) Arthritis of hand joints At least one area swollen (as defined above) in a wrist, MCP or PIP joint. (1 point) Symmetric arthritis Simultaneous involvement of the same joint areas (see 2 above) on both sides of the body (bilateral involvement of PIPs, MCPs, or MTPs is acceptable without absolute symmetry). (1 point) Rheumatoid nodules Subcutaneous nodules, over bony prominences, or extensor surfaces, or in juxta-articular regions, observed by a physician. (1 point) Serum rheumatoid factor Demonstration of abnormal amounts of serum rheumatoid factor by any method for which the result has been positive in < 5% of normal control subjects. (1 point) Radiographic changes Radiographic changes typical of RA on posteroanterior hand and wrist radiographs, which must include erosions or unequivocal bony decalcification localized to or most marked adjacent to the involved joints (osteoarthritis changes alone do not qualify). (1 point)   Total Criteria Point Count:             RA Score   4-7 Points : Diagnostic of RA 2-3 Points : Cannot exclude RA   0-2 Points : Unlikely RA   For classification purposes, a patient is said to have RA if he or she has satisfied at least 4 of the following 7 criteria. Criteria 1 through 4 must have been present for at least 6 weeks. Patients with 2 clinical diagnoses are not excluded. Designation as classic, definite, or probable RA is not to be made.     Legal Notices and Disclaimer   All information contained in and produced by the MedCalc 3000 system is provided for educational purposes only. This information should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or disease. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE CLINICAL JUDGMENT OR GUIDE INDIVIDUAL PATIENT CARE IN ANY MANNER. Click here for full notice and disclaimer.   MedCalc 3000 is Copyright © 1998-2008 Foundation Internet Services, LLC    [Build 237516 v9.1]