RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - Diagnostic criteria

American Rheumatism Association revised criteria

1)Morning stiffness (lasting at least 1 hr)

2)Arthritis (soft tissue swelling or fluid) of 3 or more joints (PIP, MCP,wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, MTP joints)

3)Arthritis of hand joints (swelling of at least 1 wrist, MCP, or PIP joint)

4)Symmetrical arthritis (i.e., simultaneous arthritis of the same joints on both sides of the body)

5)Rheumatoid nodules

6)Serum rheumatoid factor positivity (at a level such that < 5% of normal controls are positive)

7)Radiographic hand or wrist changes typical of rheumatoid arthritis

At least 4 criteria for a minimum of 6 weeks