A comparison of clinical assessments of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

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Abstract
Six clinical assessments of disease activity, including a new summated change scale (SCS), were compared in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis seen on 8 separate occasions during their first 6 mo. of therapy with D-penicillamine or hydroxychloroquine. Articular index and grip strength correlate best with erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, pain score and early morning stiffness less well, and summated change score and joint circumference least well. Articular index and grip strength correlated well with the other clinical parameters and apparently are the best clinical indices of change in treatment with these drugs.