TNF and arthritic joint disease: Further studies, especially with a homogenous group of early RA/arthritis patients, need to follow in order to examine the role of the additive value of the US7 score compared to conventional clinical and serological parameters, especially with regard to the outcome parameters (e.g., its value as a predictor of later erosions or to characterize patients who do not respond to certain therapies (i.e., TNFα inhibitors), etc.).