Table 1

Papers on the confirmation of the diagnosis of RA

PaperDesignStudy populationDiagnostic test for RAReference standard*Time intervalSens, %
(95% CI)		Spec, %
(95% CI)		RoB
Pedersen, 201416CSPatients with self-reported RA (n=51)ACR 1987 criteria
Adapted ACR 1987 criteria adding:

  • GS synovitis, US erosions, RF

  • GS synovitis, US erosions, ACPA

  • GS synovitis, erosions on X-ray, ACPA

  • PD synovitis, US erosions, ACPA


RAMRIS scale for synovitis (MCP joints 2–5)
RAMRIS scale for synovitis (combined wrist and MCP joints 2–5)		Clinical diagnosis according to a rheumatologistNR44 (22 to 69)
72 (47 to 90)
72 (47 to 90)
56 (31 to 79)
39 (17 to 64)
69 (39 to 91)
62 (32 to 86)		94 (81 to 99)
91 (77 to 83)
87 (73 to 97)
91 (77 to 98)
100 (90 to 100)
100 (73 to 100)
94 (73 to 100)		L

  • *A clinical diagnosis according to a rheumatologist was deemed as the appropriate reference standard.

  • ACPA, anti-citrullinated protein antibody; ACR, American College of Rheumatology; CS, cross-sectional; GS, Grey scale; L, low (green); MCP, metacarpophalangeal; NR, not reported; PD, power doppler; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RAMRIS, Rheumatoid arthritis MRI scoring system; RF, rheumatoid factor; RoB, risk of bias; sens, sensitivity; spec, specificity; US, ultrasonography.