Chronic Inflammatory Polyarthritis - Decision Tool
Note: This decision tool assumes a chronic (6+ weeks), inflammatory (go to decision tool), articular (go to decision tool) disorder that affects more than 3 joints.
YesNo <-- QUESTION 1: Is the arthritis SYMMETRICAL?
Findings in Rheumatoid Arthritis
1. PIP, MCP, and/or MTP joints involved
2. Rheumatoid nodules
3. Elevated Rheumatoid factor
4. Radiological evidence of RA
YesNo <-- Are any of the 4 findings in Rheumatoid Arthritis (above) present?

INTERPRETATION --> Evaluate for spondyloarthropathy (go to Spondyloarthropathy Calculator)Rheumatoid arthritis is likely, can the diagnosis be confirmed? evaluate likelihood (go to Rheumatoid Arthritis Likelihood Calculator), check against RA criteria (go to 2010 Rheumatology Criteria Calculator), and order other tests if needed (go to Testing for Chronic Inflammatory Arthritides Calculator)Evaluate for spondyloarthropathy (go to Spondyloarthropathy Calculator)PLEASE ANSWER QUESTION 1PLEASE ANSWER QUESTION 2
display/hide references
reference: Lipsky P. Algorithms for the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal complaints: A new tool for the primary-care provider. Am J Med. 1997 Dec 29;103(6A):1S-2S.
Other cliniborg links:
See also Articular versus Nonarticular Arthritis Characteristics
See also Inflammatory versus Noninflammatory Arthritis Characteristics
See also Testing for Inflammatory Arthritis
See also the Chronic Inflammatory Polyarthritis Decision Tool
See also the Spondyloarthropathy Decision Tool
See also the Rheumatoid Arthritis Likelihood Decision Tool
See also the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Criteria calculator

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