Differential diagnosis between rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis: the value of ultrasound findings at metacarpophalangeal joints level

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1111-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwin Gutierrez ◽  
Emilio Filippucci ◽  
Fausto Salaffi ◽  
Luca Di Geso ◽  
Walter Grassi

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential of ultrasound (US) in the differential diagnosis between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) at metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints level.Methods18 RA patients and 20 PsA patients with clinical involvement of MCP joints were included. All US examinations were performed by two rheumatologists investigating: presence of joint cavity widening (JCW), synovial fluid and/or synovial hypertrophy, peritenon extensor tendon inflammation (PTI) and intra-articular or peri-tendinous power Doppler (PD) signal.ResultsA total of 83 MCP joints in 18 RA patients were assessed. In all of these the authors found different degrees of JCW. 15 of 83 (18%) MCP joints showed synovial fluid, whereas 68 of 83 (82%) MCP joints showed synovial hypertrophy. In 72 of 83 (86.7%) MCP joints intra-articular PD was detected. No PTI pattern was found in these patients.In PsA patients, a total of 82 MCP joints in 20 patients were assessed. 54 of 82 (65.8%) MCP joints showed PTI pattern (p = 0.001). In 50 of these 54 (92.5%) MCP joints extra-articular PD signal was detected (p = 0.001). 28 of 82 (34.1%) MCP joints showed different degrees of JCW. 6 of 28 (21.4%) MCP joints presented synovial fluid, whereas 22 of 28 (78.5%) MCP joints showed synovial hypertrophy. In 8 of 82 (9.7%) MCP joints the JCW and PTI patterns were found contemporaneously.ConclusionsPreliminary results demonstrate that PTI pattern is a higher characteristic of PsA, which suggests a potential role of US in the differential diagnosis between RA and PsA at MCP joints level.

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2020-218744
Author(s):  
Irina Gessl ◽  
Mihaela Popescu ◽  
Victoria Schimpl ◽  
Gabriela Supp ◽  
Thomas Deimel ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo determine whether clinical tenderness can be considered a sign of inflammatory joint activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to assess other possible factors associated with tenderness.MethodsPatients diagnosed with RA, PsA and OA underwent clinical and ultrasound examination of wrists and finger joints. Radiographs of the hands were scored for erosions, joint space narrowing (JSN), osteophytes and malalignment. A binary damage score (positive if ≥1 erosion, JSN and/or presence of malalignment) was calculated. Differences in grey scale signs of synovitis and power Doppler (PD) between tender non-swollen (TNS) versus non-tender non-swollen (NTNS) joints were calculated. Disease duration was assessed,<2 years was regarded as early and >5 years as long-standing arthritis.ResultsIn total, 34 patients (9 early and 14 long-standing) from patients with RA, 31 patients (7 early and 15 long-standing) with PsA and 30 with OA were included. We found equal frequencies of PD signal between TNS and NTNS joints in RA (p=0.18), PsA (p=0.59) or OA (p=0.96). However, PD had a significant association with tenderness in early arthritis both in RA (p=0.02) and in PsA (p=0.02). The radiographic damage score showed significant association with tenderness in RA (p<0.01), PsA (p<0.01) and OA (p=0.04).ConclusionTenderness might not always be a sign of active inflammation in RA, PsA and OA. While tenderness in early arthritis may be more related to inflammation, established disease is better explained by joint damage and malalignment.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Al Shaymaa Ahmed Mohamed Kassim ◽  
Mohamed Abdel Aziz ◽  
Ahmed Hassan Soliman

Abstract Background Ultrasound imaging is currently a well-known, now frequently used method in the diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis. In recent years, it has become an essential supplement of physical examination in Rheumatologist practice. B-mode US & PDUS are very sensitive in detecting synovial hypertrophy, joint effusion, activity, tenosynovitis and any early bony erosions. Aim of the Work to demonstrate the role of Ultrasonography and Power Doppler in proper detection of activity of rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist and small hands joints among different aged population, compared with the laboratory results. Patients and Methods A prospective study was conducted on 40 patients (35 females & 5 males). They were referred from the Rheumatology Department to Ultrasound Unit at Ain Shams University hospitals for US examination of hand and wrist joints mainly. Results In our study, most of the 40 patients enrolled showed one or more of the B-mode or PDUS findings for Rheumatoid Arthritis or its activity. On adding the findings of US & PD to the clinical examination and laboratory protocol of Rheumatoid Arthritis, sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of disease and disease activity raises. Conclusion Ultrasound and Power Doppler have additional value to clinical examination both in improving early detection of RA and defining true RA remission. B-mode US & PDUS are very sensitive in detecting synovial hypertrophy, joint effusion, activity, tenosynovitis and any early bony erosions.


1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Vergne ◽  
V. Praloran ◽  
R. Treves ◽  
Y. Denizot

PAF is a potent inflammatory compound known to stimulate the release of various cytokines involved in rheumatic diseases. Elevated blood PAF levels are reported in these patients. We report that serum PAF acetylhydrolase activity (AHA) levels are decreased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis as compared to healthy controls. Serum and synovial fluid AHA levels were correlated in these patients. The present study suggests the potential role of AHA in controling systemic and/or local PAF levels in patients with rheumatic diseases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 648-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alen Zabotti ◽  
Enzo Errichetti ◽  
Francesca Zuliani ◽  
Luca Quartuccio ◽  
Stefania Sacco ◽  
...  

Objective.Exclusion of psoriatic skin/nail lesions is important in differentiating early seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) from early polyarticular psoriatic arthritis (EPsA) and such manifestations may go unnoticed in atypical or minimally expressed cases. The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of integrated rheumatological-dermatological evaluation in highlighting dermatological lesions missed on rheumatological examination and to investigate the role of ultrasonography (US) and dermoscopy in improving the recognition of subclinical psoriatic findings.Methods.Patients with a new diagnosis of seropositive or seronegative ERA and EPsA with prevalent hands involvement were recruited. All were reassessed for the presence of psoriatic lesions during an integrated rheumatological-dermatological clinical evaluation and underwent hands US and proximal nailfold dermoscopy.Results.Seventy-three consecutive subjects were included in the study: 25 with seropositive ERA, 23 with seronegative ERA, and 25 with EPsA. One-fourth of the subjects initially diagnosed as seronegative ERA presented cutaneous or nail psoriasis on integrated rheumatological-dermatological evaluation, thereby being reclassified as EPsA. The presence of at least 1 extrasynovial feature on hand US and dotted vessels on proximal nailfold dermoscopy was significantly associated with EPsA, with a sensitivity of 68.0% and 96.0% and a specificity of 88.1% and 83.3% for US and dermoscopy, respectively. When used together, specificity for PsA diagnosis raised to 90.5%.Conclusion.Integrated rheumatological-dermatological clinical evaluation may be helpful in identifying patients with EPsA misclassified as seronegative ERA. Additionally, US and dermoscopy may be used as supportive tools in identifying subclinical psoriatic features, which may come in handy in distinguishing EPsA from ERA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 583-583
Author(s):  
C. Garufi ◽  
F. Ceccarelli ◽  
F. R. Spinelli ◽  
S. Mancuso ◽  
C. Pirone ◽  
...  

Background:In the management of chronic arthritis, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Ultrasound (US) assessment can provide relevant information about the joint inflammatory status in the diagnostic phase and even more in the monitoring of disease activity and structural damage1,2.Objectives:In this longitudinal study, we aimed to assesse the role of US in predicting the efficacy of JAK-inhibitors (JAKi) in RA patients.Methods:We enrolled RA patients starting baricitinib or tofacitinib. All patients were evaluated at baseline and after 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks. Disease activity was calculated by DAS28CRP. US examination in 22 joints (I–V MCPs and PIPs, wrists) aimed at evaluating inflammatory features (synovial effusion and hypertrophy, power Doppler-PD), through a semi-quantitative scale (0-3). The total US (0-198) and PD (0-66) scores were calculated. We scanned bilateral flexor (I–V fingers of hands) and extensor compartments (1-6) tendons: tenosynovitis was scored as absent/present (0/1), resulting in a total score (0-22).Results:We studied 102 patients (M/F 15/87; median age 59.2 years, IQR 17.75; median disease duration 144 months, IQR 126), 61 treated with baricitinib and 41 with tofacitinib. At baseline, the median total US score was 18 (IQR 19) and the median PD score 2 (4). We observed a significant reduction in both total and PD US scores at all time-points (p<0.0001) (Figure 1). At baseline, 75.4% of patients showed tenosynovitis involving at least one tendon, with a median score of 2 (IQR 3.5) significantly decreasing after 24 weeks (p=0.02). Multivariate analysis, adjusted for baseline DAS28CRP and other concomitant treatments (including glucocorticoids and methotrexate treatment), confirmed the independent association between baseline US (PD and tenosynovitis) scores and the reduction of disease activity at follow-up evaluations.Conclusion:The present study confirmed the early efficacy of JAKi in RA patients by using US evaluation. Furthermore, power doppler and tenosynovitis scores could play a predictive role in response to treatment.References:[1]MUELLER RB, HASLER C, POPP F, et al. Effectiveness, Tolerability, and Safety of Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Analysis of Real-World Data from the St. Gallen and Aarau Cohorts. J Clin Med. 2019;8(10):1548.[2]COLEBATCH AN, EDWARDS CJ, ØSTERGAARD M, et al. EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging of the joints in the clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013;72(6):804-14.Figure 1.Ultrasound inflammatory score (a) and Ultrasound Power Doppler (PD) score (b) at baseline and follow-up.Table 1.Baseline characteristics of 414 RA patients.WEEKS04122448US inflammatory score18 (19)11 (15.5)9.5 (11.7)7.5 (8)6 (11)US PD score2 (4)0 (2)0 (1)0 (1)0 (0.7)Disclosure of Interests:Cristina Garufi: None declared, Fulvia Ceccarelli: None declared, Francesca Romana Spinelli Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Consultant of: Gilead/Galapagos, Eli Lilly, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Silvia Mancuso: None declared, Carmelo Pirone: None declared, Fabrizio Conti Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Pfizer, Consultant of: Gilead/Galapagos


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 937.1-937
Author(s):  
V. Pulito-Cueto ◽  
S. Remuzgo-Martínez ◽  
F. Genre ◽  
V. M. Mora-Cuesta ◽  
D. Iturbe Fernández ◽  
...  

Background:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most significant comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), increasing the mortality in these patients [1,2]. Although the pathogenesis of ILD associated to RA (RA-ILD+) remains poorly defined [1], it is known that vascular tissue plays a crucial role in lung physiology [3]. In this context, a population of cells termed endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in vasculogenesis and endothelial tissue repair [4]. Previous reports suggest the implication of EPC in different conditions such as RA and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common and destructive ILD [5,6]. Nevertheless, little is known about their specific role in RA-ILD+.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to shed light on the potential role of EPC in endothelial damage in RA-ILD+.Methods:Peripheral venous blood was collected from a total of 68 individuals (18 with RA-ILD+, 17 with RA-ILD-, 19 with IPF and 14 healthy controls). All subjects were recruited from the Rheumatology and Pneumology departments of Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. Quantification of EPC was analyzed by the expression of surface antigens by flow cytometry. The combination of antibodies against the stem cell marker CD34, the immature progenitor marker CD133, the endothelial marker VEGF receptor 2 (CD309) and the common leukocyte antigen CD45 was used. EPC were considered as CD34+, CD45Low, CD309+and CD133+. All statistical analyses were performed using Prism software 5 (GraphPad).Results:EPC frequency was significantly increased in patients with RA-ILD+, RA-ILD-and IPF compared to controls (p=0.001, p=0.002, p< 0.0001, respectively). Nevertheless, patients with RA, both RA-ILD+and RA-ILD-, showed a lower frequency of EPC than those with IPF (p= 0.048, p= 0.006, respectively).Conclusion:Our results provide evidence for a potential role of EPC as a reparative compensatory mechanism related to endothelial damage in RA-ILD+, RA-ILD-and IPF patients. Interestingly, EPC frequency may help to establish a differential diagnostic between patients with IPF and those who have an underlying autoimmune disease (RA-ILD+).References:[1] J Clin Med 2019; 8: 2038;[2] Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67: 28-38;[3] Nat Protoc 2015; 10: 1697-1708;[4] Science 1997; 275: 964-966;[5] Rheumatology (Oxford) 2012; 51: 1775-1784;[6] Angiogenesis 2013; 16: 147-157.Acknowledgments:Personal funds, VP-C: PREVAL18/01 (IDIVAL); SR-M: RD16/0012/0009 (ISCIII-ERDF); LL-G: PI18/00042 (ISCIII-ERDF); RL-M: Miguel Servet type I CP16/00033 (ISCIII-ESF).Disclosure of Interests:Verónica Pulito-Cueto: None declared, Sara Remuzgo-Martínez: None declared, Fernanda Genre: None declared, Victor Manuel Mora-Cuesta: None declared, David Iturbe Fernández: None declared, Sonia Fernández-Rozas: None declared, Leticia Lera-Gómez: None declared, Pilar Alonso Lecue: None declared, Javier Rodriguez Carrio: None declared, Belén Atienza-Mateo: None declared, Virginia Portilla: None declared, David Merino: None declared, Ricardo Blanco Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, Roche, Consultant of: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, UCB Pharma and MSD, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, UCB Pharma. MSD, Alfonso Corrales Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Jose Manuel Cifrián-Martínez: None declared, Raquel López-Mejías: None declared, Miguel A González-Gay Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Abbvie, MSD, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Abbvie, MSD


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1394.2-1394
Author(s):  
R. Fakhfakh ◽  
N. El Amri ◽  
K. Baccouche ◽  
H. Zeglaoui ◽  
E. Bouajina

Background:Ultrasound-detected synovitis, mainly synovial Doppler signal, has shown predictive value in relation to radiographic damage progression and disease flare or relapse in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with clinical remission.Objectives:The aim of the study was to analyze the correlation between power Doppler scores and clinical/laboratory and radiographic data in clinical remission RA patients.Methods:Cross-sectional study including patients with RA in clinical remission defined by: DAS28ESR ≤ 2.6, without disease flare or changes in therapy in the previous 6 months. Each patient underwent ultrasound: B-mode and PD assessments of 36 joints and 20 tendons in the Rheumatology Department over a period of 6 month. Synovitis and tenosynovitis were defined and scored according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT). Radiological measurements included the modified Sharp/van der Heijde method (SHS). Functional capacity was assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).Results:Thirty two patients were enrolled, the mean age was 53.7±13.4 and 75% were female. The mean disease duration was 15 years ± 8.8. Subclinical synovitis were the most frequent in wrist (56.3%), 2ndmetacarpophalangeal joints (28.1%) and 2ndmetatarsophalangeal joints (29%). The mean subclinical synovitis/ tenosynovitis numbers was 4±3.1 per patient. Synovial hypertrophy and B mode tenosynovitis were detected in 93.8%: 71.3% had a grade = 2 and 9.8% had a grade= 3. Total B mode score was correlated only with the SHS score in the feet (r: 0.4, p: 0.03). PD signal was detected in 62.5% of patients: 37.5% had a grade =2 and 9.4% had a grade= 3. Total PD score was correlated with DAS28 (r:0.42, p:0.02), the SHS score in the hands (r:0.39, p:0.03) and in the feet (r:0.5, p:0.007), synovial hypertrophy (r:0.6, p:0.0001) and HAQ (r:0.32, p:0.06). No correlation was found with CDAI, SDAI, swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, patient global health assessment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, biologic treatment.Conclusion:Synovial hypertrophy and PD signal were frequent in RA remission. PD signal was associated with RA activity, radiologic damage and functional capacity.References:[1]Yan Geng & Jingjing Han & Xuerong Deng and al. Presence of power Doppler synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients with synthetic and/or biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug-induced clinical remission: experience from a Chinese cohort. Clinical Rheumatology 2014. DOI 10.1007/s10067-014-2634-yDisclosure of Interests:None declared


2006 ◽  
Vol 203 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Honda ◽  
Eri Segi-Nishida ◽  
Yoshiki Miyachi ◽  
Shuh Narumiya

Prostaglandin (PG)I2 (prostacyclin [PGI]) and PGE2 are abundantly present in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Although the role of PGE2 in RA has been well studied, how much PGI2 contributes to RA is little known. To examine this issue, we backcrossed mice lacking the PGI receptor (IP) to the DBA/1J strain and subjected them to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). IP-deficient (IP−/−) mice exhibited significant reduction in arthritic scores compared with wild-type (WT) mice, despite anti-collagen antibody production and complement activation similar to WT mice. IP−/− mice also showed significant reduction in contents of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 in arthritic paws. Consistently, the addition of an IP agonist to cultured synovial fibroblasts significantly enhanced IL-6 production and induced expression of other arthritis-related genes. On the other hand, loss or inhibition of each PGE receptor subtype alone did not affect elicitation of inflammation in CIA. However, a partial but significant suppression of CIA was achieved by the combined inhibition of EP2 and EP4. Our results show significant roles of both PGI2-IP and PGE2-EP2/EP4 signaling in the development of CIA, and suggest that inhibition of PGE2 synthesis alone may not be sufficient for suppression of RA symptoms.


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