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Tan YK, Lim GH. Subclinical joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: comparing thermal and ultrasound imaging at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Adv Rheumatol 2024; 64:36. [PMID: 38702760 DOI: 10.1186/s42358-024-00377-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While ultrasound and MRI are both superior to clinical examination in the detection of joint inflammation, there is presently a lack of data whether thermography may be similarly useful in the assessment of joint inflammation in patients with RA. Our study aims to evaluate the use of thermography in detecting subclinical joint inflammation at clinically quiescent (non-tender and non-swollen) metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPJs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The outcomes from thermography in our study will be compared with ultrasonography (which is a more established imaging tool used for joint inflammation assessment in RA). METHODS The minimum (Tmin), average (Tavg) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures at the 10 MCPJs of each patient were summed to obtain the Total Tmin, Total Tavg and Total Tmax, respectively. Ultrasound grey-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) joint inflammation (scored semi-quantitatively, 0-3) at the 10 MCPJs were summed up to derive the respective TGS and TPD scores per patient. Pearson's correlation and simple linear regression were respectively used to assess correlation and characterize relationships between thermographic parameters (Total Tmin, Total Tavg and Total Tmax) and ultrasound imaging parameters (TGS, TPD and the number of joint(s) with PD ≥ 1 or GS ≥ 2). RESULTS In this cross-sectional study, 420 clinically non-swollen and non-tender MCPJs from 42 RA patients were examined. All thermographic parameters (Total Tmin, Total Tavg and Total Tmax) correlated significantly (P-values ranging from 0.001 to 0.0012) with TGS score (correlation coefficient ranging from 0.421 to 0.430), TPD score (correlation coefficient ranging from 0.383 to 0.424), and the number of joint(s) with PD ≥ 1 or GS ≥ 2 (correlation coefficient ranging from 0.447 to 0.465). Similarly, simple linear regression demonstrated a statistically significant relationship (P-values ranging from 0.001 to 0.005) between all thermographic parameters (Total Tmin, Total Tavg and Total Tmax) and ultrasound imaging parameters (TPD and TGS). CONCLUSION For the first time, thermographic temperatures were shown to correlate with ultrasound-detected joint inflammation at clinically quiescent MCPJs. The use of thermography in the detection of subclinical joint inflammation in RA appears promising and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- York Kiat Tan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Bukit Merah, Central Region, 169608, Singapore.
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Queenstown, Singapore.
| | - Gek Hsiang Lim
- Health Services Research Unit, Singapore General Hospital, Bukit Merah, Central Region, Singapore
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Boeren AMP, Khidir SJH, de Jong PHP, van der Helm-van Mil AHM, van Mulligen E. Patient-reported swelling in arthralgia patients at risk for rheumatoid arthritis: is it of value? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023:kead606. [PMID: 37952171 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with Clinically Suspect Arthralgia (CSA) are at risk for developing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). These patients often report joint swelling while this is not objectified by physical examination. To explore the value of patient-reported swelling in CSA, we aimed to determine its association with subclinical joint-inflammation on imaging and RA-development. METHODS In two independent, similarly designed CSA-cohorts from the Netherlands, symptomatic patients at risk for RA were studied. At baseline, patients indicated whether they had experienced swelling in hand joints. Subclinical joint-inflammation was assessed with MRI or ultrasound (US). Patients were followed for inflammatory arthritis development. RESULTS In total, 534 CSA-patients from two independent cohorts were studied, patient-reported swelling was present in 57% in cohort 1, and in 43% in cohort 2. In both cohorts patient-reported swelling was associated with subclinical joint-inflammation. Using MRI, it associated specifically with tenosynovitis (OR 3.7 (95%CI 2.0-6.9)) and when using US with synovitis (OR 2.3 (95%CI 1.04-5.3)). CSA-patients with self-reported swelling at baseline developed arthritis more often, with hazard ratios of 3.7 (95%CI 2.0-6.9) and 3.4 (95%CI 1.4-8.4) in cohort 1 and 2, respectively. This was independent of clinical predictors (e.g. morning stiffness), autoantibody-positivity and US-detected subclinical joint-inflammation. However, when corrected for MRI-detected subclinical joint-inflammation, self-reported swelling was no longer an independent predictor. CONCLUSION Patient-reported joint swelling in CSA relates to subclinical joint-inflammation and is an independent risk factor for RA-development, but it is less predictive than the presence of MRI-detected subclinical joint-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M P Boeren
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah J H Khidir
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal H P de Jong
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elise van Mulligen
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Kisten Y, Arnaud L, Levitsky A, Györi N, Larsson P, Hensvold A, Catrina A, af Klint E, Rezaei H. Distinct Fluorescence Optical Imaging Patient Clusters Emerge for Seropositive and Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis. ACR Open Rheumatol 2023; 5:474-480. [PMID: 37551033 PMCID: PMC10502810 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether digital activity fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) patterns of inflammation can identify distinct rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phenotypes. METHODS The hands of newly diagnosed patients with RA were evaluated by clinical examination, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and FOI. Inflammation on FOI was defined when capillary leakage and/or fluorophore perfusion was present. The FOI composite image was quantified into a digital disease activity (DACT) score, using novel computerized algorithms. Unsupervised clustering on FOI inflammatory patterns was used to identify subgroups of patients relative to anticyclic citrullinated peptides (ACPA) and/or rheumatoid factor (RF). RESULTS Of 1326 examined hand joints in 39 patients with RA (72% female; 56% ever-smokers; 54% RF positive and 69% ACPA positive), 400 (30%) showed inflammation by FOI, and 95% (37 of 39) of patients had DACT-FOI scores greater than 1. Unsupervised analysis on FOI patterns revealed two patient clusters, cluster 1 (n = 29) and cluster 2 (n = 10). The proportion of seropositive patients was significantly higher in cluster 1 versus cluster 2 (90%, 26 of 29 vs. 30%, 3 of 10; P < 0.01), whereas C-reactive-protein levels (minimum-maximum) were significantly higher in cluster 2 (20 mg/l [1-102]) versus cluster 1 (2 mg/l [0-119]; P = 0.01). A wider variety and proportion of inflamed joints emerged for patients with RA in cluster 2 versus cluster 1, in which inflammation was more concentrated around the wrists and the right metacarpophalangeal 2 (MCP2), bilateral MCP3, and, to a lesser degree, left MCP2 and proximal interphalangeal joint and tendon regions. Cluster 1 displayed lower mean (±SD) DACT scores compared with cluster 2 (3.6 ± 2.1 vs. 5.4 ± 2.1; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION FOI-based digital quantification of hand joint inflammation revealed two distinct RA subpopulations with and without ACPA and RF related autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogan Kisten
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Laurent Arnaud
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg Service de RhumatologieNational Reference Center for Rare Systemic Autoimmune DiseasesStrasbourgAlsace‐Champagne‐ArdenneFrance
| | - Adrian Levitsky
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Noémi Györi
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | | | - Aase Hensvold
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital and Academic Specialist CenterStockholmSweden
| | - Anca Catrina
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital and Academic Specialist CenterStockholmSweden
| | - Erik af Klint
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Hamed Rezaei
- Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
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Zhang L, Li H, Bai L, Ji N. Patients with Kashin-Beck Disease Obtained Lower Functional Activities but Better Satisfaction Than Patients with Osteoarthritis After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study. Clin Interv Aging 2022; 17:1657-1662. [DOI: 10.2147/cia.s388401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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邓 雪, 孙 晓, 张 卓. [Agreement between ultrasound-detected inflammation and clinical signs in ankles and feet joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2021; 53:1037-1042. [PMID: 34916678 PMCID: PMC8695146 DOI: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167x.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the agreement between clinical signs (tenderness and/or swelling) in ankles and feet joints and ultrasound findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS RA patients with at least 1 tender and/or swollen joint in bilateral ankles and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints detected by physical examination were enrolled and underwent ultrasound examination by greyscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) mode. The agreement between clinical signs and ultrasound-detected inflammation (joint effusion, synovitis, or tenosynovitis) was analyzed. RESULTS In the study, 113 consecutive RA patients were included, with mean age of (52.5±12.6) years, median duration of 60 (13, 129) months, mean disease activity score in 28 joints based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28 (ESR)] of 5.1±1.7, mean disease activity score in 28 joints based on C reactive protein[DAS28 (CRP)]of 4.6±1.5. The tenderness and swelling was most commonly detected in ankles (52.7% and 31.9%, respectively), while GS (+) synovitis was most frequently detectable in MTP2 (34.1%), followed by ankles (32.7%) and MTP1 (27.9%), and PD (+) synovitis was most frequently detectable in MTP1 (14.2%), followed by ankles (12.4%) and MTP2 (10.6%). The prevalence of tenosynovitis was 41.1%, which mostly located in tibialis posterior tendon (22.1% of GS positive and 17.6% of PD positive). The highest prevalence of joint effusion was detected in ankles (9.7%), while that of bone erosion in MTP5 (19%). The overall concordance rate between positive clinical signs and ultrasound-determined joint inflammation was poor in the above joints (κ < 0.2, P < 0.05), in which swelling had the highest κ coefficient with ultrasound-determined joint inflammation in ankles (κ=0.225, P < 0.05). Moreover, swelling had the highest κ coefficient with synovitis in ankles (κ=0.231, P < 0.05).The concordance between tenosynovitis and signs in ankles was also poor (κ < 0.20, P < 0.05). There was no significant agreement between joint effusion and clinical signs (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The overall concordance between clinical signs and inflammation on ultrasound was poor in ankles and feet joints. Tenderness and swelling was more common in ankles, while more lesions were detected by ultrasound at MTP joints. Ultrasound is useful in assessing the lesions besides physical examination in patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- 雪蓉 邓
- />北京大学第一医院风湿免疫科,北京 100034Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - 晓莹 孙
- />北京大学第一医院风湿免疫科,北京 100034Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - 卓莉 张
- />北京大学第一医院风湿免疫科,北京 100034Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
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Correlation and agreement between physical and ultrasound examination after a training session dedicated to the standardization of synovitis assessment in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Adv Rheumatol 2021; 61:68. [PMID: 34794509 DOI: 10.1186/s42358-021-00227-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assessing disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients requires comprehensive quantification of tender and swollen joints. We aimed to evaluate the correlation and agreement between rheumatologists after a training session dedicated to the standardization of synovitis assessment and compare its performance with a reference imaging modality such as musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS). METHODS In this cross-sectional study, a total of 28 and 10 joints in RA patients were evaluated by physical examination and ultrasound (US), respectively. After participating in a training session, individual joint assessment for tenderness and swelling was performed by three rheumatologists. MSUS examination was performed separately by an experimented radiologist in a standardized manner, evaluating findings according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trial (OMERACT) guidelines. RESULTS A total of 80 RA patients were included, with a mean Disease Activity Score based on 28 joints (DAS28)-ESR of 4.02. The interobserver overall agreement and concordance rate in a total of 2240 joints assessed was 81.7% (k = 0.449, p < 0.0001) for tender joints and 66% (k = 0.227, p < 0.0001) for swollen joints. The overall concordance rate was fair (Fleiss' kappa = 0.21, p = 0.027) with an overall agreement of 67.18% yet, more joints were found to be swollen by the US assessment, compared to the physical examination (43% vs 39%). CONCLUSION In our study population, joint tenderness showed better interobserver agreement, correlation, and concordance rate than joint swelling. When comparing the US assessment to the physical examination, a fair overall concordance rate supports the need for the implementation of training sessions dedicated to standardization in rheumatology clinics.
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Ultrasound Effectiveness of Steroid Injection for hand Psoriatic Dactylitis: Results from a Longitudinal Observational Study. Rheumatol Ther 2021; 8:1809-1826. [PMID: 34652687 PMCID: PMC8572270 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-021-00383-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction To assess clinical and ultrasound effectiveness of steroid injection (local treatment, LT) into the digital flexor tendon sheath for the treatment of psoriatic dactylitis compared to systemic treatment (ST) alone. Methods In this observational, multicentre, prospective study, 88 cases of symptomatic hand dactylitis were evaluated clinically and sonographically by high-frequency ultrasound (US) probe in both greyscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD). The presence of flexor tenosynovitis (FT), soft tissue oedema (STO), peritendon extensor inflammation and synovitis was assessed (including DACtylitis glObal Sonographic—DACTOS—score) before treatment, at 1-month (T1) and 3-months (T3) follow-up. LT was proposed to all patients. Patients refusing LT were treated with oral NSAIDs. Patients continued the same baseline csDMARDs and/or corticosteroid therapy during the whole follow-up period. US response was defined for DACTOS score < 3 and US remission for DACTOS score = 0. Results At T3 evaluation the ST group showed a significantly higher persistence (grade > 1) of FT and STO (p < 0.001 for all) and MCP synovitis (p = 0.001). US remission was achieved only in the LT group (at T3 31% vs. 0, p < 0.001). The percentage of patients with DACTOS < 3 was significantly greater in the LT group compared with ST group, at both T1 (49% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and T3 evaluation (76% vs. 7%, p < 0.001). In multiple conditional logistic regression analysis, the only factor associated with US remission was LT (T3 odds ratio = 41.21, p < 0.001). Conclusions US confirmed the effectiveness of steroid injection for dactylitis by demonstrating that it involves the resolution of extra-articular inflammation, in particular FT and STO.
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Psoriatic Dactylitis: Current Perspectives and New Insights in Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10122604. [PMID: 34204773 PMCID: PMC8231617 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dactylitis, one of the most typical features of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), is the diffuse swelling of the digits and is determined by the involvement of different anatomic structures, including: the subcutaneous fibrous tissue “accessory pulley” system; flexor tendons, with their related structures; the articular synovium; the small enthesis of the hands. Dactylitis is currently considered both a marker of disease activity and severe prognosis and its importance in PsA is emphasized by the inclusion in the classification criteria of PsA. This review focuses on the role of imaging in the management of PsA patients with dactylitis in clinical practice and in a research setting. Furthermore, imaging could be a valuable tool to assist in unravelling some of the underlying mechanisms of the onset and chronicization of dactylitis in PsA patients.
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Aoki T, Ito H, Ogura T, Hirata A, Nishiwaki Y, Kameda H. Association of age with the non-achievement of clinical and functional remission in rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15277. [PMID: 32943723 PMCID: PMC7498589 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72274-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient-reported outcome (PRO) is included in the remission criteria of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to determine the effect of age on PRO and the subsequent achievement of clinical and functional RA remission criteria. Three hundred and one patients with non-rheumatic diseases were evaluated using the 0–10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) assessment for musculoskeletal symptoms and a functional health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI). These assessments were compared with those obtained from 149 patients with RA with negative tender/swollen joint counts and normal serum C-reactive levels (objective clinical remission). Of the 301 patients, 32.2%, 26.6%, and 41.2% were classified as non-elderly (< 65 years), early elderly (65–74 years), and late-elderly (≥ 75 years) patients, respectively. VAS > 1 cm and HAQ-DI ≥ 0.5 were observed in 7.3% and 14.5%, respectively, in late-elderly patients, whereas ≤ 1.0% of non-elderly and early elderly patients for the both. Among 149 RA patients in objective remission, however, > 20% and > 10% of early elderly patients (and even non-elderly patients) had VAS > 1 cm and HAQ-DI ≥ 0.5, respectively, and 34.0% and 35.8% of late-elderly patients with RA had VAS > 1 cm and HAQ-DI ≥ 0.5, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that age and RA were associated with the non-achievement of VAS ≤ 1 cm and HAQ-DI < 0.5. Therefore, the effect of age, which was independent of the presence of RA even without any objective disease activity, on PRO and the non-achievement of clinical and functional remission criteria was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Aoki
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University (Ohashi Medical Center), 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8515, Japan
| | - Hideki Ito
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University (Ohashi Medical Center), 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8515, Japan
| | - Takehisa Ogura
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University (Ohashi Medical Center), 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8515, Japan
| | - Ayako Hirata
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University (Ohashi Medical Center), 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8515, Japan
| | - Yuji Nishiwaki
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideto Kameda
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University (Ohashi Medical Center), 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8515, Japan.
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Coras R, Sturchio GA, Bru MB, Fernandez AS, Farietta S, Badia SC, Diez BR, de Agustín de Oro JJ. Analysis of the correlation between disease activity score 28 and its ultrasonographic equivalent in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Eur J Rheumatol 2020; 7:118-123. [PMID: 32716834 PMCID: PMC7431356 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2020.20038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the differences between disease activity score 28 (DAS28) index and an ultrasound (US) approach using index echographic disease activity score (ECODAS). METHODS This was a cross-sectional study in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. We created a US index (ECODAS) evaluating the joints with synovitis using gray scale US (GSUS) and power Doppler US (PDUS) and calculated the formula of DAS28 index with both variables substituting tender joint for GSUS and swollen joint for PDUS (ECODAS1) and vice versa (ECODAS2). RESULTS A total of 58 patients (65.5% women and 34.5% men) were included in the study. There was no significant difference between the 2 US indexes. We obtained a Pearson's correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) of 0.56 (p<0.00001) between DAS28 and ECODAS1 and of 0.57 (p<0.00001) between DAS28 and ECODAS2, respectively. However, for patients with a high disease activity [DAS28>5.1, tender joint count (TJC, high)], the correlation was poor (0.18) and ECODAS indexes were significantly lower (p=0.001). The correlation increased (0.86, p<0.001) when we excluded the tender joints and the joints with GS-positive synovitis in both the scores. CONCLUSION US reduces the bias in the evaluation of patients with RA with a high value in DAS28 index. We found a clear difference between DAS and ECODAS when TJC was high. The results suggest that joint tenderness reported by the patient is not a good reflection of inflammation. More studies are needed to find a new combined clinical and sonographic index that would better assess the disease activity in patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Coras
- Unit of Rheumatology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Mireia Barceló Bru
- Unit of Rheumatology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Sandra Farietta
- Unit of Rheumatology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
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Kuettel D, Terslev L, Weber U, Østergaard M, Primdahl J, Petersen R, Ammitzbøll-Danielsen M, Möller S, Hørslev-Petersen K. Flares in rheumatoid arthritis: do patient-reported swollen and tender joints match clinical and ultrasonography findings? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 59:129-136. [PMID: 31382292 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate how patient-reported flares in RA are related to clinical joint examination and inflammation detected by US. METHODS Eighty RA patients with DAS28-CRP <3.2 and no swollen joints at baseline were followed for 1 year. In case of patient-reported hand flare with swollen and tender joints (SJ and TJ, respectively), patients underwent clinical examination for SJ/TJ and US of bilateral wrists, MCP and PIP 1st-5th, six extensor tendon compartments and wrist flexor tendons for synovitis/tenosynovitis. Percentage agreement and kappa were calculated between patient-reported SJ and TJ, clinical examination for SJ/TJ and US findings indicative of inflammation. With US as reference, sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value and accuracy of patient-reported and clinically examined joints were determined. RESULTS Hand flare was reported by 36% (29/80) of patients. At time of flare, all clinical and ultrasonographic measures of disease activity deteriorated compared with baseline. Agreement between patient-reported SJ/TJ, clinically examined SJ/TJ and US was slight (kappa = 0.02-0.20). Patients and clinicians agreed in 79-93% of joints, more frequently on SJ than TJ. With US as reference, specificities were 86-100% and 88-100%, and sensitivities 12-34% and 4-32% for patient-reported SJ/TJ and clinically examined SJ/TJ, respectively. CONCLUSION Over 12 months of follow-up, hand flare was reported by every third RA patient. Self-reported flares were associated with increased disease activity as determined by clinical examination and US. Patient-reported joint assessment may aid in capturing flares between routine clinical visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Kuettel
- Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lene Terslev
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet - Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Ulrich Weber
- Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Østergaard
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet - Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Jette Primdahl
- Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Sygehus Sønderjylland, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark
| | - Randi Petersen
- Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark
| | - Mads Ammitzbøll-Danielsen
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet - Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Sören Möller
- OPEN - Odense Patient data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kim Hørslev-Petersen
- Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Shoulder tenderness was associated with the inflammatory changes on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19599. [PMID: 31862930 PMCID: PMC6925129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55938-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the association between the shoulder tenderness and the inflammatory changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the rheumatoid shoulder. Forty-one shoulders of 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined. We evaluated synovitis, erosion and bone marrow edema, by counting the numbers of each positive site, and rotator cuff tears on shoulder MRI. The association between the shoulder tenderness and the MRI findings were statistically analyzed. Twenty-three of 41 patients had tenderness in the shoulder joints. There were 20 shoulders (48.8%) with rotator cuff tear, and no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of rotator cuff tear between the tenderness group and non-tenderness group (p = 0.080). There were no significant differences in the demographic data between these two groups. In MRI findings, we found significant difference for the synovitis (p = 0.001) and bone marrow edema (p = 0.021). Synovitis was strongly associated with the shoulder tenderness (OR: 3.996, 95% CI: 1.651-9.671). Synovitis was the factor most associated with shoulder tenderness.
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Ogura T, Hirata A, Hayashi N, Imaizumi C, Ito H, Takenaka S, Inoue Y, Takakura Y, Mizushina K, Katagiri T, Kameda H. Finger Joint Cartilage Evaluated by Semiquantitative Ultrasound Score in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2019; 73:173-179. [PMID: 31651103 PMCID: PMC7898608 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes both bone and cartilage lesions. Since joint space narrowing (JSN) is not a direct evaluation of cartilage using radiography, we aimed to examine the validity of ultrasound (US) cartilage evaluation using a semiquantitative method in patients with RA. METHODS We enrolled 103 patients with RA who were in remission or showing low disease activity and 42 healthy subjects. The cartilage thickness of the bilateral metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the second to fifth fingers was measured by US, and the recorded images were scored semiquantitatively using a scale of 0-2. In addition, the JSN of the corresponding joints was scored using a hand radiograph. The relationships between total cartilage thickness, its semiquantitative score, and JSN score were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. RESULTS Total cartilage thickness was significantly thinner in patients with RA compared to healthy subjects for both the MCP and PIP joints (both P < 0.001). The semiquantitative sum of 16 joints ranged from 2 to 26 (median 8) in patients with RA, which was significantly greater than the 0-11 (median 4) in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). In patients with RA, the semiquantitative score showed a significant negative correlation with cartilage thickness (ρ = -0.64, P < 0.001) and a significant positive correlation with JSN score (ρ = 0.66, P < 0.001). Furthermore, these scores showed a significant correlation with RA disease duration. CONCLUSION A simplified and direct evaluation of finger joint cartilage damage by semiquantitative US score is valid and useful for patients with RA.
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Kawahara R, Nakabo S, Shimizu M, Yamamoto H, Sasai T, Nishida Y, Funakoshi S, Gon Y, Taniguchi M, Nakajima T, Hiwa R, Hashimoto M, Tomizawa T, Azukizawa M, Nishitani K, Murata K, Tanaka M, Ito H, Mimori T, Fujii Y. Feasibility of patient-oriented ultrasound joint selection: Cross-sectional observational study on rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol 2019; 30:975-981. [DOI: 10.1080/14397595.2019.1680095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rie Kawahara
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Clinical Ultrasound Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shuichiro Nakabo
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Madoka Shimizu
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Clinical Ultrasound Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroko Yamamoto
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Clinical Ultrasound Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Sasai
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuri Nishida
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sohei Funakoshi
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshie Gon
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Taniguchi
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiki Nakajima
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Hiwa
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Motomu Hashimoto
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Tomizawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Azukizawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Nishitani
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koichi Murata
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masao Tanaka
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiromu Ito
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsuneyo Mimori
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Fujii
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Clinical Ultrasound Laboratory, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Girolimetto N, Macchioni P, Tinazzi I, Costa L, Peluso R, Tasso M, Bascherini V, Addimanda O, Marchetta A, Possemato N, Salvarani C, McGonagle D, Scarpa R, Caso F. Predominant ultrasonographic extracapsular changes in symptomatic psoriatic dactylitis: results from a multicenter cross-sectional study comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic hand dactylitis. Clin Rheumatol 2019; 39:1157-1165. [PMID: 31302859 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-019-04683-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite diffuse digital swelling, dactylitis may sometimes be asymptomatic. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and ultrasonographic features of symptomatic with asymptomatic psoriatic arthritis (PsA) dactylitis. METHODS One hundred and twenty-five hand dactylitis were evaluated in a multicenter cross-sectional study for the presence of pain, subjective functional limitation, and tenderness (4-points scale) with the calculation of a Leeds Dactylitis Index (LDI) score. Fingers were subsequently investigated using high-frequency ultrasound (US) both in gray-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD), for the presence and grading of flexor tenosynovitis, soft tissue edema, subcutaneous PD signal (PDUS), extensor tendon involvement, and joints synovitis. Clinical and US characteristics of symptomatic dactylitic fingers were compared with the asymptomatic dactylitic ones. RESULTS Symptomatic fingers (n = 80) had a significantly lower dactylitis duration compared to asymptomatic fingers (n = 36) (p < 0.001). Values of LDI, patient VAS-pain, and VAS-functional score were significantly higher in fingers with symptomatic dactylitis (p < 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively). Symptomatic dactylitis had a higher prevalence of flexor tenosynovitis of grade > 2, soft tissue edema and subcutaneous PDUS signal (p < 0.001). Asymptomatic dactylitis showed a greater prevalence of joint synovitis (both in GS and in PD) than symptomatic dactylitis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Digital tenderness and pain are linked to US tenosynovitis of grade > 2 and extra synovial abnormalities and conversely asymptomatic dactylitis is associated with joint-based synovitis.Key Points• Digital tenderness and local pain in psoriatic arthritis dactylitis are strongly associated with flexor tenosynovitis of grade> 2, soft tissue edema, and subcutaneous PD signal.• In psoriatic arthritis, asymptomatic dactylitis showed a greater prevalence of joint synovitis than symptomatic dactylitis.• In psoriatic arthritis, ultrasound inflammatory abnormalities are present in about 70% of cold dactylitis which is linked for disease chronicity.• In psoriatic arthritis, the flexor tendon and adjacent soft tissues play a significant role in symptomatic dactylitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Girolimetto
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Macchioni
- Department of Rheumatology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Tinazzi
- Rheumatology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Luisa Costa
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Peluso
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Tasso
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Vittoria Bascherini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Olga Addimanda
- Department of Rheumatology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Niccolò Possemato
- Department of Rheumatology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- Department of Rheumatology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Rheumatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Dennis McGonagle
- NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and the University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Raffaele Scarpa
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Francesco Caso
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Hammer HB, Michelsen B, Sexton J, Haugen IK, Provan SA, Haavardsholm EA, Uhlig T, Kvien TK. Swollen, but not tender joints, are independently associated with ultrasound synovitis: results from a longitudinal observational study of patients with established rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:1179-1185. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
ObjectivesJoint swelling and tenderness are considered a proxy for inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). With ultrasound-detected inflammation as reference, our objectives were to explore on patient and joint level the associations between ultrasound synovitis and joint swelling, tenderness and patient-reported joint pain (PRJP).Methods209 patients with established RA were examined six times during 12 months with assessment of 32 joints in upper/lower extremities for joint swelling/tenderness and Grey scale (GS)/power Doppler (PD) synovitis. PRJP was assessed on a manikin. Correlations between different sum scores were at each examination calculated using Spearman’s rho (r), agreement at joint level was examined by Cohen’s kappa and logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between joint assessment and GS/PD scores.ResultsAt patient level, swollen joints were strongly correlated with GS/PD sum scores (r=0.64–0.88), while tender joints were primarily associated with PRJP (r=0.54–0.68). At joint level, GS/PD pathology had higher agreement with swelling (kappa 0.54–0.57) than tenderness (kappa 0.20–0.21) or PRJP (0.23–0.25). Higher percentages of joints were swollen according to increasing GS/PD scores, independently of joint tenderness. However, joints being tender, but not swollen, were not associated with GS/PD scores. Receiver operating curves showed swollen but not tender joints to be associated with GS/PD scores.ConclusionsSwollen joints were strongly associated with ultrasound detected synovitis at both patient and joint level, while this association was not found for tender joints. These results may question if tender joints reflect ongoing inflammation in established RA.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Achieve Better Satisfaction but Lower Functional Activities as Compared to Osteoarthritis Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 2019; 34:478-482.e1. [PMID: 30514640 DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, poor patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has gained attention mainly in osteoarthritis (OA) patients; however, satisfaction after TKA remains to be understood in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. This study aimed to examine satisfaction and function after RA TKA using patient-reported outcome measures and to compare the results with those of OA-TKA. METHODS This study enrolled 534 TKAs of 501 patients consisting of 75 TKAs of 70 RA patients and 459 TKAs of 431 OA patients. Data of patient-reported outcome measures such as new Knee Society Score 2011, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Pain DETECT Score were collected at 2 years. Multiple regression analysis was performed with Knee Society Score satisfaction score set as a dependent variable in order to clarify factors affecting patient satisfaction. Principle component analysis was performed, and satisfaction and function components were compared between RA and OA. RESULTS All activity scores were significantly lower in RA TKA than in OA TKA, whereas the range of motion and patient satisfaction scores were significantly better in RA TKA than in OA TKA. Scores for symptom, expectation, basic activity, and discretional activity positively affected patient satisfaction (P < .001), while Pain Catastrophizing Scale negatively did (P = .021). Importantly, diagnosis of RA itself pushed up the patient satisfaction score by 1.5 points. Principle component analysis revealed that RA TKA achieved significantly higher satisfaction component (P = .001), but lower function component (P < .0001) compared to OA TKA. CONCLUSION Patient satisfaction was better but functional activity was lower in RA than in OA. As poor functional activity was evident preoperatively in RA patients, to improve functional outcome should be future challenge for RA TKA.
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Symptomatic psoriatic dactylitis is associated with ultrasound determined extra-synovial inflammatory features and shorter disease duration. Clin Rheumatol 2018; 38:903-911. [PMID: 30569440 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-018-4400-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the link between ultrasonographic features of dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and symptoms, digital tenderness and duration of dactylitis. METHODS Forty-eight cases of PsA dactylitis were investigated using high frequency ultrasound (US) both in grey scale (GS) and Power Doppler (PD), evaluating the presence and the degree of flexor tenosynovitis, peri-tendinous oedema, subcutaneous PD, extensor tendon involvement, GS synovitis and intra-articular PD signal (PDS) of the involved digits. Patients were compared according to the presence of local pain and digital tenderness, the duration of dactylitis and the concomitant treatment. RESULTS The presence of pain/tenderness was positively associated with US GS flexor tenosynovitis of grade > 2 (p < 0.001), PD-flexor tenosynovitis (p < 0.001), peri-tendinous oedema (p < 0.001) and subcutaneous PDS (p < 0.001); moreover, it was negatively associated with GS synovitis (p < 0.001) and intra-articular PD (p < 0.001). The same positive and negative association with US findings were found comparing patients with duration of dactylitis shorter or longer than the median (24 weeks) (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS Pain and digital tenderness are linked to dactylitis duration and earlier lesions are associated with extra synovial inflammatory changes. These findings suggest a hitherto unappreciated extra synovial basis for symptoms in PsA dactylitis.
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Moura CA, Moura CG. Methotrexate still works: comment on the articles by Rohr et al and Hirata et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2018; 70:1118. [DOI: 10.1002/acr.23342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Antonio Moura
- Hospital Santo Antonio; Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública and Universidade Salvador (UNIFACS); Bahia Brazil
| | - Carlos Geraldo Moura
- Hospital Santo Antonio and Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública; Bahia Brazil
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