Open AccessAn electronic method for measuring joint tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Atkins Christopher J.,
Zielinski Adam,
Klinkhoff Alice V.,
Chalmers Andrew,
Wade John,
Williams Danny,
Schulzer Michael,
Cioppa Giovanni Della
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780350408
Subject(s) - tenderness , rheumatoid arthritis , medicine , rheumatism , joint (building) , surgery , architectural engineering , engineering
Objective. To test the precision of a new electronic method for measuring joint tenderness. Method. Joint tenderness was measured in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, using an electronic dolorimeter. The results were compared with joint tenderness counts, which were made according to the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) methods. Results. The intra‐observer variability using the electronic method was significantly decreased compared with the conventional ARA joint tenderness counts. Conclusion. The electronic method is more efficient for use in clinical trials than is the conventional ARA joint tenderness count.