Anaemia and iron deficiency in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic diseases

RA may be suspected in patients who: have at least one joint with definite clinical synovitis with the synovitis not better explained by another disease
a score of 6/10 is needed for classification of a patient as having definite RA

JOINT INVOLVEMENT (swollen or tender joints on examination, with synovitis confirmed by imaging, e.g. MRI or ultrasound scans; distal interphalangeal joints and first metatarsophalangeal joints are excluded from assessment)
1 large joint (shoulder, elbow, hip, ankle)	0
2–10 large joints	1
1–3 small joints (with or without involvement of large joints)	2
4–10 small joints (with or without involvement of large joints)	3
> 10 joints (at least 1 small joint)	5

SEROLOGY (at least one test result is needed for classification)
Negative RF and anti-CCP	0
Positive RF or anti-CCP ≤ 3 x ULN	2
Positive RF or anti-CCP > 3 x ULN	3

INFLAMMATION PARAMETERS (at least one test result is needed for classification)
normal CRP or ESR	0
increased CRP or ESR	1

DURATION OF SYMPTOMS
< 6 weeks	0
≥ 6 weeks	1

RA is diagnosed when at least 4 criteria are met. Criteria 1–4 must have been present for at least 6 weeks
1. Morning joint stiffness lasting at least 1 hour
2. Arthritis of at least 3 joints, except for DIP, shoulder and temporomandibular joints
3. Arthritis of at least 1 hand joint (at least one joint area swollen in the wrist, MCP or proximal interphalangeal – PIP joints)
4. Symmetric arthritis
5. Rheumatoid nodules
6. Positive RF
7. Radiographic changes (erosions) in hand or wrist joints in AP view

Frequenza di pubblicazione:: Volume Open
Argomenti della rivista:: Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Virology, Medicine, Basic Medical Science, Immunology

Anaemia and iron deficiency in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic diseases*