Long-term outcome of rheumatoid arthritis has improved.

X-rays of 20 finger joints, 10 foot joints and 2 wrists of 50 female patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis of 10-15 years' duration from 1962, 1972, 1982 and 1992 were evaluated blindly for erosions. A highly significant decline was observed in erosions in finger joints. Erosions had also declined in wrists and in foot joints, though less than in fingers. This may indicate improvement in the long-term outcome of rheumatoid arthritis.