17-Year Follow-up of Symptoms and Signs in the Knee Joint in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

A population survey was carried out in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1967. In a sample of 15268 individuals, 239 were found to have rheumatoid arthritis according to the New York diagnostic criteria. In 1983, i.e. 17 years later, 109 of the 127 individuals still living were reexamined. Among these, 79 complained of knee symptoms and 30 stated that the knee was the joint that presented the greatest hindrance to walking. Fifty-nine found difficulty in walking up or down stairs and 47 had to use a walking aid. These shortcomings were more often noted in the knees that had been swollen, or painful, 17 years previously. In addition, at follow-up, narrowing of the articular space was observed in the knees that were swollen and painful. Valgus deformity was associated with swelling, while varus deformity also involved, apart from the swelling, pain and restricted motility. In all, 108 operations were performed on 48 of the 109 subjects who were re-examined; 12 of these were knee operations.

Key Words:

• arthritis rheumatoid
• epidemiology
• knee joint