List of original articles

This thesis is based on the following articles, which are referred to in the text by their Roman numerals:

I Hakala M, Åman S, Luukkainen R, Risteli L, Kauppi M, Nieminen P & Risteli J (1995) Application of markers of collagen metabolism in serum and synovial fluid for assessment of disease process in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 54:886-90.

II Åman S, Hakala M, Risteli L & Risteli J (1996) Increased type I collagen degradation is associated with a need for total joint replacement surgery in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 55:147.

III Åman S, Hakala M, Silvennoinen J, Manelius J, Risteli L & Risteli J (1998) Low incidence of osteoporosis in a two year follow-up of early community based patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 27:188-93.

IV Åman S, Risteli J, Luukkainen R, Risteli L, Kauppi M, Nieminen P & Hakala M. The value of synovial fluid analysis in the assessment of knee joint destruction in arthritis in a 3-year follow-up study. Ann Rheum Dis. In press.

V Åman S, Paimela L, Leirisalo-Repo M, Risteli J, Kautiainen H, Helve T & Hakala M. Prediction of disease progression in early rheumatoid arhritis by ICTP, RF and CRP. A comparative 3-year follow-up study. Submitted.