Validation of automatic joint space width measurements in hand radiographs in rheumatoid arthritis.

Computerized methods promise quick, objective, and sensitive tools to quantify progression of radiological damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Measurement of joint space width (JSW) in finger and wrist joints with these systems performed comparable to the Sharp-van der Heijde score (SHS). A next step toward clinical use, validation of precision and accuracy in hand joints with minimal damage, is described with a close scrutiny of sources of error.

Contribution of assessing forefoot joints in early rheumatoid arthritis patients: insights from item response theory.

Objective: To evaluate the contribution of assessing forefoot joints to the measurement range and measurement precision of joint counts in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using item response theory.

Methods: Baseline measures of tender and swollen joint counts were analyzed in 459 early RA patients from the Dutch Rheumatoid Arthritis Monitoring remission induction cohort. The contribution of forefoot joints was studied by evaluating their effect on the measurement range and measurement precision of measures based on 28-joint counts.

Productivity loss due to absenteeism and presenteeism by different instruments in patients with RA and subjects without RA.

Objectives: To explore the impact of at-work productivity loss on the total productivity cost by different instruments in patients recently diagnosed with RA and controls without RA.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from outpatients with RA between December 2007 and February 2008. The control group was formed by subjects without RA matched on age and gender.

Validating the 28-tender joint count using item response theory.

Objective: To examine the construct validity of the 28-tender joint count (TJC-28) using item response theory (IRT)-based methods.

Methods: A total of 457 patients with early stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included. Internal construct validity of the TJC-28 was evaluated by determining whether the TJC-28 fit a 2-measure logistic IRT model.

The reason for discontinuation of the first tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agent does not influence the effect of a second TNF blocking agent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate whether the reason for discontinuation of the first tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agent influences the effect of a second TNF blocking agent.

Methods: Data were used from 2 Dutch registries including patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with TNF blocking agents. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on reason for discontinuation of the first: nonresponse, loss of response, or adverse events.