Hand deformities are important signs of disease severity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.
Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and significance of hand deformities during the first 10 years of RA. Methods. One hundred and eighty-three early RA patients were included in the study during 1985-89. Mean +/- s.d. of age at onset was 51.4 +/- 12.4 years, and mean duration of symptoms before inclusion 12 +/- 7 months; 64% were women. The patients were followed a
