symptoms date from more than 12 weeks

The duration of symptoms greater than 6 weeks also predicts the persistence of arthritis with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 52%, increasing the specificity if the symptoms date from more than 12 weeks.

The number of inflamed joints is another factor that increases the likelihood of having persistent inflammatory arthritis. While factors such as the age of onset, the symmetry or commitment of small joints at the onset of symptoms, history of smoking and family history do not provide diagnostic information Flekosteel, 8,9,10 the following factors predict the remission of symptoms in 2 years: man and be over 60.