Thirty-five patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis have been followed for more than five years. The average duration of disease of the series was 13.5 years and the average age was 50.0 years.
The series was collected between 1960 and 1964.
In 1966 and 1971, the follow up assessments were carried out on laboratory finding, disease activity, functional capacity and X-ray findings.
On the whole their level of disease activity tended to subside. However, there was a gradual but progressive worsening in the functional capacity. With regard to X-ray findings, the development of the radiological changes varied with the joints involved.
Intercarpal joints and radio-carpal joints were most frequently involved and the X-ray changes of those jojnts progressed rapidly.
In spite of beeing frequently affected, the X-ray changes of knee joints and ankle joints were less advanced in comparison with intercarpal joints and radio-carpal joints.