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Objective. The objective of this study was to verify the usefulness of a simple disease activity index (SDAI) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods. The SDAI is the numerical sum of five outcome parameters: tender and swollen joint count (based on a 28‐joint assessment), patient and physician global assessment of disease activity [visual analogue scale (VAS) 0–10 cm] and level of C‐reactive protein (mg/dl, normal <1 mg/dl). Analysis initially focused on MN301, one of the three phase III clinical trials of leflunomide, in order to assess possible correlations between the SDAI and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28). Results were then compared with the other two trials, MN302 and US301. A total of 1839 patients were evaluated. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, the SDAI, DAS 28, American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria and …