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Research ArticleArticle

Pattern of Joint Involvement and Other Disease Characteristics in 634 Patients with Arthritis of Less Than 16 Weeks’ Duration

Maria Dahl Mjaavatten, Anne Julsrud Haugen, Knut Helgetveit, Halvor Nygaard, Göran Sidenvall, Till Uhlig and Tore Kristian Kvien
The Journal of Rheumatology June 2009, jrheum.081217; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.081217
Maria Dahl Mjaavatten
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Anne Julsrud Haugen
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Knut Helgetveit
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Halvor Nygaard
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Göran Sidenvall
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Till Uhlig
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Tore Kristian Kvien
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Abstract

Objective To investigate the distribution of joint involvement in a cohort of patients with very recent onset arthritis and describe the disease characteristics in these patients.

Methods A very early arthritis clinic (NOR-VEAC) was established as a multicenter study. General practitioners were asked to refer patients presenting with at least 1 swollen joint of maximum 16 weeks’ duration. Clinical and laboratory markers were examined.

Results We included 634 patients during the first 3 years, with mean (25th-75th percentile) arthritis duration of 30 (11–63) days. Monoarthritis was present in 243 (38.3%) patients, 216 (34.1%) had oligoarthritis, and 175 (27.6%) polyarthritis. Patients with polyarthritis were older, had longer duration of arthritis, and were more frequently anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody and rheumatoid factor-positive. Patients in all 3 joint pattern groups (mono-/oligo-/polyarthritis) reported substantial effect on physical function, pain, and fatigue and had elevated levels of acute-phase reactants. Knee or ankle arthritis was most frequent in patients with mono- and oligoarthritis, whereas small joint involvement was most frequent in patients with polyarthritis.

Conclusion Patients with recent-onset arthritis report a substantial influence on health status. Mono and oligoarthritis are at least as frequent as polyarthritis. Polyarthritic patients more frequently exhibit features associated with a worse outcome.

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The Journal of Rheumatology
Vol. 52, Issue 6
1 Jun 2025
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Pattern of Joint Involvement and Other Disease Characteristics in 634 Patients with Arthritis of Less Than 16 Weeks’ Duration
Maria Dahl Mjaavatten, Anne Julsrud Haugen, Knut Helgetveit, Halvor Nygaard, Göran Sidenvall, Till Uhlig, Tore Kristian Kvien
The Journal of Rheumatology Jun 2009, jrheum.081217; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.081217

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Pattern of Joint Involvement and Other Disease Characteristics in 634 Patients with Arthritis of Less Than 16 Weeks’ Duration
Maria Dahl Mjaavatten, Anne Julsrud Haugen, Knut Helgetveit, Halvor Nygaard, Göran Sidenvall, Till Uhlig, Tore Kristian Kvien
The Journal of Rheumatology Jun 2009, jrheum.081217; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.081217
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