Radiological evaluation of disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis

X-ray photographs of the wrist joints in 210 cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), who visited an outpatient clinic for RA in Orthopedic Department of the Osaka City Medical School were investigated using Carpo-Metacarpal Ratio (CMR) and Shinomiya's criteria, more detailed classification system based on the staging criteria of Steinbrocker. Radiological staging of the wrist joints revealed a correlation with the duration of RA and was considered to be a useful parameter in disease assessment. Radiological alterations in the wrist joints were progressive, but with great individual differences.