Early rheumatoid arthritis: The performance of the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for diagnosing RA

New classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were presented by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) in 2010, aiming for early identification of patients at risk of developing persistent and erosive arthritis. Since their publication, the criteria have been extensively validated against several reference standards, but there is still debate regarding how the criteria should be implemented in studies and clinical care. We present an overview of the published validation studies and discuss the strengths and limitations of the classification criteria, as well as whether the criteria are ready for diagnostic purposes in clinical practice.     

Study on sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic criteria for early rheumatoid arthritis

Sensitivity and specificity were compared among the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 classification criteria, the Yamasaki diagnostic criteria, and the Japan Rheumatism Association (JRA) diagnostic criteria for early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study included 90 patients who consulted our department for the first time within 1 year after onset and were suspected of having RA (final diagnosis: RA 45 cases, non-RA 45 cases). We investigated whether physical and laboratory findings at the first examination met these three sets of criteria to determine the sensitivity and specificity of each set of diagnostic criteria. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of each item in the diagnostic criteria set were similarly determined. The sensitivity of the ACR 1987 classification criteria, the Yamasaki diagnostic criteria, and the JRA diagnostic criteria for early RA were 71.1%, 88.9%, and 95.6%, respectively, and their specificities were 100%, 93.3%, and 77.8%, respectively. In a study on each diagnostic item, observation for 1 week was considered to be sufficient for morning stiffness, swelling in three joint areas, and symmetrical swelling, while observation for a more prolonged period seemed to be necessary for swelling of the finger and hand joints. The Yamasaki diagnostic criteria are appropriate for the diagnosis of early RA, while the JRA diagnostic criteria are suitable for screening. Received: July 13, 1999 / Accepted: May 25, 2000     

Proposal for a sonographic classification of target joints in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective The purpose of this study was to classify sonographically the joint damage of target joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods During a 3-year cross-sectional study, standardized arthrosonography of symptomatic target joints was performed in patients with RA. According to those findings, a classification with progressive deterioration of joint alteration in RA was created that grades visible morphological changes of the joint components. Using elbow joints as a subgroup, inter- and intraobserver reliability was calculated.Results Examined and included in this study were 1211 joints of 425 patients with RA. The mean disease activity score was 5.2 (range 0.75–7.79). Sonographically visible changes could be classified and divided into six stages. A standardized sonographic evaluation system was developed. In reference to the elbow joint, overall percentages for intra- and interobserver reliability of sonography were 90.8% and 88.8%, respectively.Conclusion Sonography is a valuable tool for assessing and classifying joint alteration in RA. Particularly in early stages of joint affection, ultrasound is superior to X-ray in detecting soft tissue changes and minor erosions.     

The new criteria for classification of rheumatoid arthritis: what we need to know for clinical practice

The new criteria for classification of Rheumatoid Arthritis have been recently released. They incorporate the anti-Citrullinated Protein antibody testing and the other classic criteria in a score system (the diagnosis of definite rheumatoid arthritis is made by a total score ≥ 6). These criteria try to meet the pressing needs to gain sensitivity in early disease. Symptoms, elevated acute-phase response, serologic abnormality, joint involvement were all considered for scoring after confirming the presence of synovitis in at least 1 joint in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that better explains the synovitis. However, no sensitivity and specificity has been showed. Moreover, Area Under Curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves (a measure of performance of the test) was not optimal in almost two of the three studied cohorts. On the contrary, the old criteria of the American College of Rheumatology had been tested to calculate sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, sensitivity and specificity of anti-citrullinated peptide auto-antibodies are available for clinical reasoning based on pre-test and post-test probabilities of the disease. The use of likelihood ratios applied to both the old criteria and anti-citrullinated autoantibodies could help clinicians to effectively manage early arthritis patients implementing Bayesian reasoning. Here, we tried to explain the methodology applied to the body of knowledge currently available about rheumatoid arthritis for diagnostic decision-making based on the Bayesian approach.     

Performance of the 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in a cohort of patients from Latin America

We aimed to determine the performance of the 2017 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) in a cohort of Chilean patients. This single-center retrospective study included 151 patients with a clinical diagnosis of IIM. Patients were classified according to the 2017 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for IIM, and its performance was compared to the Bohan & Peter (B&P) classification criteria. A total of 135 patients (89.4%) met the EULAR/ACR criteria, and 140 (92.7%) patients met the B&P criteria. A total of 130 patients had IIM according to both the criteria; concordance rate was 29.2% for definite IIM, 6.2% for probable IIM, and 1.5% for possible IIM. The kappa coefficient of agreement was weak between the 2 classification criteria (κ = 0.39, SD 0.15–0.64). Against gold standard expert physician’s diagnosis, sensitivity, and specificity of EULAR/ACR criteria was 0.86 and 0.85 to diagnose dermatomyositis, respectively, and 0.73 and 0.87 to diagnose polymyositis. The EULAR/ACR criteria showed good sensitivity and identified more patients with probable or definite IIM than the B&P criteria in a single-center cohort of patients with IIM in South America. The sensitivity of the EULAR/ACR criteria was slightly higher in patients with dermatomyositis, but lower in patients with polymyositis, than that of the B&P criteria.     

99mTC-MDP骨关节显像在早期类风湿关节炎中的临床价值

目的　探讨核素骨关节显像对早期和活动期类风湿关节炎 (RA)诊断价值。方法　对 31例确诊为RA患者进行99mTC -羟基亚甲基二磷酸 (MDP)全身骨关节显像检查 ,全部RA患者根据关节疼痛部位摄X线平片 ,同时进行血沉 (ESR)、血清C反应蛋白 (CRP)、类风湿因子 (RF)滴度、关节压痛指数 (JTI)、关节肿胀指数 (JSI)测定。结果　 31例RA患者骨显像阳性 2 9例 ,诊断符合率 93 5 %,而非RA关节炎 (AS和OA)组和正常人组核素骨关节显像率分别为 80 0 %和 10 5 %;在 2 2 6个有临床表现的关节中 ,核素显像阳性是 2 0 1个 ,总符合率为88 9%;在 2 0例早期RA(≤ 2年 )中 ,核素骨关节显像率 95 0 %,X线片RA改变符合率 2 0 0 %;病变关节摄取示踪剂程度与JTI、JSI、ESR、CRP呈正相关 (r为 0 4 5～ 0 5 2 ,P <0 0 5 )。结论　99mTC骨关节显像为骨关节无创伤性、功能性、灵敏度高但特异性不强的检查方法 ,结合临床症状、体征及血清免疫学改变 ,对提高早期和活动期RA的诊断及评估有帮助。     

Assessment of American College of Rheumatology quality criteria for rheumatoid arthritis in a pre–quality criteria patient cohort

Objective

To evaluate the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) starter set of quality measures for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an actual patient cohort that preceded publication of the quality measures.

Methods

We retrospectively applied the 2006 ACR quality criteria to a prospectively studied cohort of 568 patients with RA treated by 1,932 unique physicians including 255 different rheumatologists between the years 1999 and 2003. Data on performance were obtained from self‐report surveys and medical record review within 12 months.

Results

At least 1 joint examination was performed in 98% of patients. Patient and physician global assessments were reported for 79% and 74% of patients, respectively. A total of 85% of patients received disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARD adjustments were made for 50% of patients in whom increasing disease activity was noted at least once and for 64% of patients in whom increasing disease activity was noted during 2 (of 4) 3‐month periods within the year. Compared with self‐report surveys, medical records substantially underreported performance on quality measures.

Conclusion

The ACR‐endorsed quality measures for RA can be assessed using available data sources. When both self‐report and medical record data are used, adherence rates, designed to serve as minimum standards of care, were moderate or high for most measures. Prior to using indicators to compare quality across groups, specific strategies for operationalizing measures and for using accurate data sources to assess adherence to the measures should be defined.     

Induction of remission in rheumatoid arthritis: criteria and opportunities

The concept of remission in rheumatology is complicated by the lack of a single gold standard measurement, spontaneous remissions and the usage of several sets of remission criteria. Feasibility is reduced by traditional clinical practice, which does not include remission criteria monitoring. The “window of opportunity” to prevent joint damage with DMARD therapy lasts only a few months. The perspective of the physician and patient differ, as the former gives importance to signs of disease activity, whereas the latter to disability and quality of life. All patients with rheumatoid arthritis are candidates for combination DMARD-based therapy, which should be instituted without delay. Remission is important to prevent joint destruction, preserve adequate quality of life and prevent disability. The introduction of biological agents has made this objective feasible, but the failure rate is still high (about 50%), on account of lack of response, contraindications and intolerance.     

Clinical evaluation and comparison of different criteria for classification in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis

Several criteria are being used for the classification of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and there is a lack of consensus about PsA as a separate entity. Our aim is to investigate the clinical features of our patients with a clinical diagnosis of PsA, compare the sensitivities of different classification criteria, agreement between the criteria. In this study 86 PsA patients were investigated (48 females, mean age 44). Moll and Wright criteria was fulfilled by 91%, Vasey and Espinoza criteria by 94% and modified European SpA study group criteria by 59%, classification of PsA study group criteria by 86%, modified McGonagle criteria by 96%, Fournie et al. criteria by 84% and Gladman criteria by 95%. Significant agreement was present between criteria but generally κ-values were less than 0.5. The pattern of PsA can differ with time and the implementation of the available classification criteria showed considerable differences.     

Clinical evaluation and comparison of different criteria for classification in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis

Several criteria are being used for the classification of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and there is a lack of consensus about PsA as a separate entity. Our aim is to investigate the clinical features of our patients with a clinical diagnosis of PsA, compare the sensitivities of different classification criteria and agreement between the criteria. In this study 86 PsA patients were investigated (48 female, mean age 44). Moll and Wright criteria were fulfilled by 91%, Vasey and Espinoza criteria by 94% and modified European SpA study group criteria by 59%, classification of PsA study group criteria by 86%, modified McGonagle criteria by 96%, Fournié et al. criteria by 84%, and Gladman criteria by 95%. Significant agreement was present between criteria but generally kappa values were less than 0.5. The pattern of PsA can differ with time and the implementation of the available classification criteria showed considerable differences.     

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography assists the diagnostic performance of the 2010 classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

We investigated whether musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSKUS) assists the diagnostic performance of the 2010 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) classification criteria.

Methods

Sixty-nine early arthritis patients were consecutively enrolled. None of the patients had been treated. In MSKUS of bilateral wrist and finger joints from 22 sites, the findings obtained by gray-scale and power Doppler (PD) assessment were graded on a semiquantitative scale from 0 to 3. Plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both wrist and finger joints was also examined. Diagnosis of RA was defined by the initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs within the first 3 months. The diagnostic performance of the patients was evaluated at entry using 2010 RA classification criteria in conjunction with MSKUS.

Results

The indispensable MSKUS finding for differentiating RA was the presence of a PD grade 2 or 3 that was superior to 2010 RA classification criteria or MRI-proven bone edema. We propose that the decision tree algorithm of 2010 RA classification criteria with PD grade 2 or 3 reveals the best discriminative ability.

Conclusion

MSKUS, especially with a strong PD signal, is very useful to assist the diagnostic performance of the 2010 RA classification criteria in the early recognition of RA.