How to measure the DAS28

To calculate the DAS28 you need 4 things:

  • The number of tender joints of the 28 that are measured (tender28);
  • The number of swollen joints of the 28 that are measured (swollen28);
  • The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), in mm/hour;
  • The patients’ general health (GH) or global disease activity measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 100 mm.

In several instruction films which are available on YouTube, you can see how to assess the joints for swelling and pain.