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Methods: In this Cohort prospective study, patients with early arthritis were evaluated according to the old and new diagnostic criteria and followed-up every two monthly for one year (2012-2013) in Hazrat-e Rasool University Hospital, Tehran. Inclusion criteria of this study were age more than 18 year and indefinite diagnosis of arthritis. For all of patients physical examination by expert rheumatologist was done and lab data include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor was requested. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were then determined for each diagnostic criteria.
Results: In this study 104 patients including 28 males (26.9%) and 76 females (73.1%) with the mean age of 44.2±13.7 years were included. At the end of one year follow-up, 82 were diagnosed to have RA while other 22 patients were not categorized as RA. Sensitivity for ESR, CRP, Anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor in 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria was 52%, 19%, 48%, 28% and specificity for them was 45%, 71%, 27%, 79% respectively. Number of small and large joint arthritis were more in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) rather than other arthritis (P=0.0001). Sensitivity and specificity for small joints involvement was 87% and 54% and for large joints involvement was 81% and 59%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria were 65%, 40%, 81%, and 23%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for 1987 ACR criteria were 51%, 62%, 83%, and 25% respectively.
Conclusion: In comparison to the old diagnostic criteria, the new one has higher sensitivity and lower specificity.
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