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Leiden Clinical Prediction Rule for Undifferentiated Arthritis

Estimates 1-year risk of progression to rheumatoid arthritis in recent-onset undifferentiated arthritis.

Leiden Clinical Prediction Rule for Undifferentiated Arthritis
Age
years
Sex
Symptom localization
Symmetric joint distribution
Morning stiffness intensity (0-100 mm VAS)
Tender joint count
joints
Swollen joint count
joints
CRP
mg/L
Rheumatoid factor positive
Anti-CCP (ACPA) positive
Complete the fields above to see the result.

When to use

  • Estimating 1-year probability of progression to rheumatoid arthritis in patients with recent-onset undifferentiated arthritis, to guide early DMARD decisions.

Formula

Weighted sum of age (x0.02/yr), female sex (1), symptom localization (0-1.5), symmetry (0.5), morning stiffness intensity (0-2), tender/swollen joint counts (0-1 each), CRP (0-1.5), RF positive (1), ACPA positive (2). Range 0-14; <6 low risk, 6 to <8 indeterminate, >=8 high risk.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Scores from 6 up to (but not including) 8 fall in an indeterminate zone — the original derivation could not reliably classify these patients.
  • ACPA carries twice the weight of RF, reflecting its stronger association with progression to RA.

References

  1. van der Helm-van Mil AH, le Cessie S, van Dongen H, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56(2):433-40.