Undifferentiated arthritis and spondylarthropathy as a challenge for prospective follow-up

Diagnosis of arthritis with recent onset is still an unresolved problem. In 1984 we started an outpatient clinic for patients with early arthritis of less than one year duration. Of a total of 226 patients seen 149 (66%) had definite (n=76; 34%) or probable (n=73; 32%) inflammatory rheumatic disease, and 77 (34%) had degenerative or extraarticular rheumatic disease. Thirtynine patients were classified as undifferentiated arthritis. This...