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Loredo C, Yañez P, Hernández-Díaz C, Cruz-Arenas E, Ventura-Ríos L. Low prevalence of subclinical synovitis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in long-term clinical remission on medication. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:393-398. [PMID: 37542584 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06729-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Subclinical synovitis is highly prevalent in patients with JIA in clinical remission (CR) with a short duration. The objective was to evaluate its prevalence by ultrasound (US) in patients with JIA in long CR during a one-year follow-up. In this prospective and longitudinal study, we included 76 patients with JIA according to ILAR with CR by the Wallace modified criteria and JADAS27 and compared them with 22 patients with active disease. Clinical and demographic characteristics were recorded. US evaluation was by 10-joint count. Differences in US evaluations were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. There were no differences among the two group with regard to disease duration at enrollment, and age (p = 0.540 and p = 0.080, respectively), but JADAS 27, CHAQ, and acute phase reactants were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the clinically active group. The prevalence of subclinical synovitis at baseline and the end of the study in the CR group was 18.4% and 11.8%, respectively, while it was 100% and 40.9% in the active disease group. Subclinical synovitis at baseline was significantly more prevalent in the clinically active group (elbow, p = 0.01; wrist, p = 0.001; MCP 2, p = 0.001; knee, p = 0.001 and ankle p = 0.001; and PD only in the ankle, p = 0.002). The concordance of inter-reader reliability in all evaluated joints was excellent (p = 0.001). Although the prevalence of subclinical synovitis is low in patients with JIA with long-term clinical remission on medication, a percentage of patients continue to have subclinical involvement that could predict the risk of relapse and structural damage. Key Points • Subclinical synovitis is less prevalent in JIA in long-term clinical remission compared to patients in short-term remission. • The persistence of imaging signs of inflammation in a significant percentage of patients may indicate the need for ongoing medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Loredo
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Yañez
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Esteban Cruz-Arenas
- Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance Unit-Sociomedical Research, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lucio Ventura-Ríos
- Division of Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Calzada Mexico-Xochimilco 289, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Sidhu N, Wouters F, Niemantsverdriet E, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. MRI detected synovitis of the small joints predicts rheumatoid arthritis development in large joint undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:SI23-SI29. [PMID: 34164662 PMCID: PMC9015025 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives New onset undifferentiated large joint inflammatory arthritis can be diagnostically challenging. It is unknown how often these patients progress to RA, and how they can be identified at first presentation. We assessed clinical and serological features associated with RA development in patients with an undifferentiated mono- or oligo-articular large joint arthritis, and with keen interest in whether an MRI of the small joints of the hand and foot would aid diagnosis. Methods Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic includes 4018 patients; this prospective study follows 221 consecutively included patients with new onset undifferentiated large joint arthritis. Baseline clinical data and serology were obtained. Forty-five patients had MRIs (hand and foot). MRIs were scored according to the OMERACT RAMRIS. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were assessed. Test characteristics, predictive values and net reclassification index (NRI) for RA were determined. Results Patients mostly presented with knee or ankle mono-arthritis. During the 12 months’ follow-up 17% developed RA. Autoantibody positivity (ACPA and/or RF) and MRI-detected synovitis in hands and feet were independently associated with RA development in multivariable analyses [odds ratio 10.29 (P = 0.014) and 7.88 (P = 0.017), respectively]. Positive predictive value of autoantibodies, MRI-detected synovitis and combination of both features was 63%, 55% and 100%, respectively. The addition of MRI-detected synovitis to autoantibody status improved diagnostic accuracy (NRI 18.1%). Conclusion In patients presenting with undifferentiated large joint arthritis, 17% will develop RA. Autoantibody positivity and subclinical synovitis are independent predictors. The data suggest MRI of small joints is beneficial for early identification of RA in large joint arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navkiran Sidhu
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fenne Wouters
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Terslev L, Brahe CH, Østergaard M, Fana V, Ammitzbøll-Danielsen M, Møller T, Krabbe S, Hetland ML, Døhn UM. Using a DAS28-CRP-steered treat-to-target strategy does not eliminate subclinical inflammation as assessed by ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis patients in longstanding clinical remission. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:48. [PMID: 33522948 PMCID: PMC7849184 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02426-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Subclinical synovitis by ultrasound is a frequent finding in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in remission and has been shown to be related to erosive progression, risk of flare and unsuccessful drug tapering, but it has not been investigated how a DAS28 T2T-steered strategy in routine care affects the presence of subclinical synovitis in RA patients in remission. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of ultrasound-detected subclinical inflammation in RA patients in long-term remission receiving either biological or conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD/csDMARD) and, finally, to investigate the presence of ultrasound remission using different ultrasound remission criteria. Methods Eighty-seven RA patients (42 patients receiving bDMARD and 45 csDMARD) received DAS28-CRP-steered treatment in routine care and had achieved DAS28-CRP-remission for > 1 year without radiographic progression. Twenty-four joints were scored 0–3 by ultrasound (elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints 2–5) for grey-scale synovial hypertrophy (GS) and colour Doppler activity (CD) using the OMERACT scoring system. Ultrasound remission was defined as strict (GS score = 0 and CD score = 0), semi-strict (GS score < 1 and Doppler score = 0) and Doppler remission (Doppler score = 0). Results No differences between treatment groups were found for GS sum score and Doppler sum score (median (range) 6 (0–19) and 0 (0–12), respectively). A Doppler score > 0 in at least 1 joint was seen in 44%, a GS score > 1 in at least 1 joint in 93% and a GS score > 2 in at least 1 joint in 54% of patients. Strict ultrasound remission was only observed in bDMARD patients (7%; p = 0.01). Thirty-seven per cent were in semi-strict ultrasound remission and 56% in Doppler remission (no significant difference between groups) with similar results across the subgroups of patients who also fulfilled the ACR-EULAR Boolean-, CDAI- and SDAI-remission criteria. Conclusions Ultrasound frequently detected subclinical synovitis in RA patients in longstanding DAS28-remission obtained through a DAS28-CRP-steered strategy. This was independent of treatment and applied ultrasound remission criteria. Strict ultrasound remission was rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene Terslev
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Cecilie Heegaard Brahe
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Østergaard
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Viktoria Fana
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Ammitzbøll-Danielsen
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Torsten Møller
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Simon Krabbe
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Lund Hetland
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Uffe Møller Døhn
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zhao J, Wang Y, Geng Y, Zhang X, Deng X, Ji L, Song Z, Zhang Z. Intensive therapy alleviates subclinical synovitis on ultrasound and disease activity and reduces flare in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have achieved clinical target - a randomized controlled trial. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2020; 50:673-679. [PMID: 32512262 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Whether intensive therapy can alleviate subclinical synovitis and reduce flare in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in clinical remission remains unclear. We designed a 1-year open-labelled, randomized controlled clinical trial to elucidate this question. METHODS RA patients in clinical remission/low disease activity (defined by DAS28-CRP≤ 3.2), however with subclinical synovitis on ultrasound [power Doppler (PD)≥1 and/or gray scale (GS)≥2] were randomized to receive maintenance or intensive treatment at a ratio of 1:1. The primary outcome was the rate of RA relapse (defined by DAS28-CRP>3.2 and an increase≥0.6). The secondary outcomes were changes of PD and GS scores, and clinical disease activity at each visit from baseline. RESULTS 108 patients with 54 in each group were enrolled. During 1-year follow-up, the relapse rate was significantly higher in maintenance group than in intensive group, regardless of all enrolled patients or those in remission [24.1% (13/54) vs. 9.1% (5/54), p=0.039; 26.2% (11/42) vs. 5.3% (2/38), p=0.026, respectively]. Although GS and PD scores were decreased at 12 months in both groups, the decline was more remarkable in intensive group than in maintenance group. The improvement of clinical disease activity score was only observed in intensive group, not maintenance group. Adverse events were comparable between two groups. Abnormal liver function tests were observed in 24 (22%) patients with 16 from intensive group. CONCLUSION Intensive therapy can alleviate subclinical synovitis on ultrasound and clinical disease activity, and prevent relapse in RA patients who have achieved clinical remission or low disease activity, with comparable safety profiles to maintenance therapy. REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR2000029279.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yan Geng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xuerong Deng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Lanlan Ji
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zhibo Song
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zhuoli Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent international efforts on standardization and validation of pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound and determine its role in diagnosis and monitoring of disease in pediatric rheumatology. RECENT FINDINGS Over the past decade, significant progress has been made on building the evidence base for musculoskeletal ultrasound in pediatric rheumatology. This includes the clear definition of the sonographic appearance of the normal pediatric joint and enthesis on ultrasonography, definitions for pathology, and the establishment of a specific scoring system for the pediatric knee. Ultrasonography has been shown to have an important role in the detection of subclinical synovitis and can predict flares in children considered to be in remission clinically. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is likely going to play an important role in complementing the clinical exam especially in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Given the powerful therapeutic tools available, it will support early diagnosis and precisely determine remission status. In a treat to target approach, it will greatly help to define the targets that need to be reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Roth
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. .,Division of Pediatric Dermatology & Rheumatology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada.
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Cruces M, Al Snih S, Serra-Bonett N, Rivas JC. Subclinical synovitis measured by ultrasound in rheumatoid arthritis patients with clinical remission induced by synthetic and biological modifying disease drugs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 15:218-22. [PMID: 29032909 DOI: 10.1016/j.reuma.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with disease in clinical remission might show subclinical synovitis, which can be related to the progress of structural joint damage. OBJECTIVE To determine and compare the degree of synovial inflammation by ultrasound (US) in patients with RA in clinical remission, treated with DMARD or combination therapy with DMARD and anti-TNF. METHODS Hospital-based cross-sectional study of 58 patients with RA in sustained remission for at least 6 months by DAS28 <2.6, who attended the Rheumatology Service at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Patients underwent clinical, functional, and laboratory assessments. Ultrasound was performed in hands measuring synovial effusion, synovial hypertrophy and power Doppler signal; using a semiquantitative 4-point scale of 0=none to 3=severe. Chi-square and t-test were used to compare the clinical, functional, laboratory and US assessments between the DMARD (N=37) and combination therapy with DMARD and anti-TNF (N=21) groups. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Out of 58 patients, 25.9% had remission by US and 74.1% had synovial effusion or hypertrophy or positive power Doppler signal. Non-significant differences in US synovitis between the two groups were found. CONCLUSIONS Persistent US activity was evident in a high percentage of rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical remission by DAS28. No differences in subclinical synovitis measured by US were found between patients with DMARD and anti-TNF-induced clinical remission.
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