Undifferentiated arthritis: predictive factors of persistent arthritis and treatment decisions

A number of patients with inflammatory arthritis due to inadequate clinical or laboratory data do not fulfill diagnostic criteria for a clinical disease categories. These patients with initial diagnosis of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) may remit or progress to a definite well- defined condition such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or remain as UA with persistence of inflammatory arthritis. The main objective in the evaluation of these patients is focused on differentiating self-limiting arthritis from those who progress to chronic destructive arthritis such as RA. The study reviews the background data regarding the associated factors of progressive diseases among patients with recent-onset arthritis as well as the evaluation and decision in the management of this population. At present, the major goal should be focused on the early identification of patients, who have progressive course and initiation of appropriate therapy by using Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs, (DMARDs) as early as possible to achieve clinical remission.