Objective:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that is primarily characterized by chronic inflammation of the diarthrodial joints. Synovitis, joint erosions and functional impairment are main findings of the disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether functional impairment is related to radiological erosions in RA.

Material and Method:

Sixty-eight patients who were diagnosed to have RA according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of patients, duration and severity of morning stiffness imprisonment, and the severity of pain were recorded. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Disease activity was assessed by Ritch Index and DAS28 score, and functional status by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Duruöz Hand Index (DHI). The severity of the erosions was graded according to the Larsen Score from radiographs of hands and feet.

Results:

Patients had the mean age of 54.30±11.27 and an average disease duration of 8.4±6.4 years. There was no correlation between HAQ and DHI and Larsen Score (p>0.05). However, statistically significant correlation was found between HAQ and DHI with duration and severity of morning stiffness, verbal pain score, Ritch Index and DAS 28(p>0.05).

Conclusion:

The radiological erosisons in patients with RA may not be an indicator of functional status. Therefore, we think that not only radiological evaluation but also functional status must be followed regularly in the treatment and follow-up of RA.

Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, severity of erosion, Larsen score, functional status, health assessment questionnaire, Duruoz hand index