Dictionary of Rheumatology pp 187-187 | Cite as
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — classification criteria
Abstract
ACR classification criteria for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis 1987
| Criteria | Definition |
|---|---|
| • morning stiffness | • morning joint stiffness that lasts at least 1 hour |
| • arthritis of hand joints | • soft tissue swelling or fluid observed by a physician is |
| present at least in 3 of 14 joint areas (right or left PIP, | |
| MCP, RC, elbow, knee ankle, MTP joints) | |
| • arthritis of hand joints | • swelling of at least one area - RC, MCP or PIP |
| • symmetric arthritis | • concurrent involvement of the same joints on both |
| sides of the body | |
| • rheumatoid nodules | • subcutaneous nodules over the bone eminences or |
| extensor areas around joints observed by a physician | |
| • serum rheumatoid factor | • verification by any method where outcomes are not |
| positive in more than 5% of the normal population | |
| • X-ray changes | • X-ray changes typical for RA that are visible on an X-ray |
| picture taken in PA projection of the hand and wrist with the discovery of erosions or decalcification of affected joints or in their proximity |