Guideline 48 Annex 2

Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Annex 2

The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis¹⁶

Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis requires four of seven of the following criteria. In criteria one to four the joint signs or symptoms must be continuous for at least six weeks.

Signs & Symptoms
1. Morning stiffness	Duration >1hr lasting >6 weeks
2. Arthritis of 3 or more joint areas*	Soft tissue swelling or effusion lasting >6 weeks
3. Arthritis of hand joints	Wrist, metacarpophalangeal joints or proximal interphalangeal joints lasting >6weeks
4. Symmetric arthritis*	At least one area, lasting >6 weeks
5. Rheumatoid nodules	As observed by a physician
6. Serum rheumatoid factor	As assessed by a method positive in less than 5% of control subjects
7. Radiographic changes	As seen on anteroposterior films of wrists and hands

* Possible areas: proximal interphalangeal joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, metatarsophalangeal joints (observed by a physician).

At least four criteria must be fulfilled.

Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Annex 2

Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Annex 2