An index of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

This paper describes the Stoke Index which has been designed to give a global measure of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. The index is based on two objective laboratory measurements, one subjective and two semi-objective clinical measurements, chosen from 13 measurements using clinical judgement. Variable selection routines in principal components analysis are used to demonstrate that the index measures clinically defined disease activity. Its sensitivity and reversibility are also considered. A comparison is carried out with another index (Mallya-Mace) and a modification is suggested.