Articular Index (AI) Score of Ritchie et al for a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Joints examined (26):

(1) temporomandibular

(2) cervical spine

(3) sternoclavicular

(4) acromioaclavicular

(5) left shoulder

(6) right shoulder

(7) left elbow

(8) right elbow

(9) left wrist

(10) right wrist

(11) left metacarpal proximal phalangeal (MCP)

(12) right metacarpal proximal phalangeal

(13) left proximal interphalangeal (PIP)

(14) right proximal interphalangeal

(15) left hip

(16) right hip

(17) left knee

(18) right knee

(19) left ankle

(20) right ankle

(21) left talocalcaneal

(22) right talocalcaneal

(23) left midtarsal

(24) right midtarsal

(25) left metatarsals

(26) right metatarsals

where:

• Although there are left and right temporomandibular, sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints, according to Table I only 1 value is given.

• Several of the joints consist of multiple joints (PIP, MCP, others).

total score =

= SUM(points for all 26 joints)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 78

• The higher the score the more extensive the disease activity.