Reproducibility of joint swelling assessments in long-lasting rheumatoid arthritis: influence on Disease Activity Score-28 values (SEA-Repro study part I).

Objectives: To evaluate the reproducibility of clinical synovitis assessments in rheumatoid arthritis and the effect of variability on the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28).

Methods: Seven healthcare professionals from different cities examined the same patients with active non-early rheumatoid arthritis (RA; duration > 4 yrs), for whom a treatment change was being considered. There was no training session and the examination was to be performed as quickly as possible.

Reproducibility of joint swelling assessment by sonography in patients with long-lasting rheumatoid arthritis (SEA-Repro study part II).

Objective: To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of B-mode and power Doppler (PD) sonography in patients with active long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comparatively with clinical data.

Methods: In each of 7 patients being considered for a change in their RA treatment regimen, 7 healthcare professionals examined the 28 joints used in the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count (DAS28). Then 7 sonographers examined each of the 7 patients twice, using previously published B-mode and PD grading systems.