INFO - A word about the ACR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis

[Guest guest]

Regarding the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria

for rheumatoid arthritis (RA):

It's very important to keep in mind that these criteria are meant to be used

for classification of patients for studies, not for clinical diagnosis.

It is possible for a person to meet the RA classification criteria and NOT

have RA. It is also possible for a person to lack enough of the criteria to

be classified as RA, but to indeed have RA.

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Key quote:

" Finally, the new criteria, unlike the old, are purposefully formulated to

facilitate the classification of RA rather than clinical diagnosis. "

The American Rheumatism Association 1987 Revised Criteria for the

Classification of Rheumatoid Arthritis

http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/classification/ra/1987_revised_criteria\

_classification_ra.asp?aud=mem

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org