Topical fluocinolone in rheumatoid arthritis.

The response was assessed subjectively, and by strength of grip and ring size measurements. The strength of grip in each hand was measured in the usual way by squeezing a small rubber bag attached to a sphygmomanometer and taking the average of three observations. Ring sizes were measured over the finger proximal interphalangeal joints using a set of standard jeweller's rings with half sizes. (The diameter increment between sizes is 0 4 mm.) The measurements were carried out at the same time of day on the day before treatment, the day treatment started, and the day treatment finished, and the day after that.