Assessing radiographic status of rheumatoid arthritis: introduction of a short erosion scale (original) (raw)

The Journal of rheumatology, 2000

Abstract

Although radiographs are an important marker of rheumatoid arthritis severity, no valid simple scoring method exists. Current scoring systems are cumbersome, difficult to learn, time consuming, and suitable only for experts. In addition, there is no "gold standard" for radiographic severity, so that it is impossible for the clinician, trialist, or researcher to place patients' scores along a continuum of radiographic severity. We investigated the scoring and scaling properties of radiographs read by the Larsen method, and we developed a shortened scale that can be placed in the perspective of a linear severity continuum. A total of 3,538 paired hand radiographs obtained over a 24 year period were read by Larsen method and evaluated by Rasch analysis. By iterative methods the number of joints was reduced so that proper fitting, scaling, and dimensionality were obtained. The shortened scale was then tested against the full Larsen scale to determine its ability to detect ...

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