What are the 'best' measurements for monitoring patients during short-term second-line therapy?

Seventy-one patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were treated with one of five second-line agents and monitored for 24 weeks using seven clinical and seven laboratory measurements. Statistical tests were used to determine which measures changed fastest, which changed most and which most closely reflected changes in the others. The results consistently showed that articular index and summated change score were the 'best' clinical measures while ESR and plasma viscosity were the 'best' laboratory measures. Traditional measures such as grip strength and joint size fared badly and cannot be recommended. Clinical variables improved slightly more rapidly than laboratory measures, but the latter showed the greater change.