[Course of chronic polyarthritis].

The great variety of rheumatoid arthritis is well known. By means of exemplary cases subgroups are described, which show more homogeneity in relation to onset and course than rheumatoid arthritis as defined by the ARA-criteria. As a result of treatment clinical signs of inflammation as joint pain and swelling and laboratory findings as ESR and Hb may improve, but there is no change in radiological progression. There are correlations between clinical and laboratory measurements but not to radiological findings. It is considered that inflammation and joint destruction may result from independent pathomechanisms. The conclusion is that the pathognomonic process of rheumatoid arthritis, i.e. destruction, shown by radiological progression, is not influenced by treatment and is reflecting the natural course of the disease.