Can erosion severity be predictor of functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that primarily characterized by chronic inflammation of the diarthrodial joints. Synovitis, joint erosions and functional disorders are the main findings of the disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether functional impairment is related to radiological erosions in RA Methods:Sixty-eight patients who diagnosed to have RA according toAmerican College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of patients, the duration and severity of morning stiffness imprisonment, and the severity of pain were recorded. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. Disease activity was assessed by Ritch index and DAS28 score, and functional status by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Duru？z Hand Index (DHI). The severity of the erosions was graded according to the Larsen score from radiographs of hand and foot Results: Patients had the mean age 54.30±11.27 and an average disease duration of 8,4±6,4 years. There was no correlation between HAQ and DHI and Larsen score (p> 0.05). However, statistically significant correlation was found between HAQ and DHI with duration and severity of morning stiffness, verbal pain score, Ritch index and DAS 28(p<0.05). Conclusion: The radiological erosisons in patients with RA may not be indicator of functional status. Therefore, we think that not only radiological evaluation but also functional status must be followed by regularly in the planning and follow-up of RA