scholarly journals Sonographic estimation of monosodium urate burden predicts the fulfillment of the 2016 remission criteria for gout: a 12-month study

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edoardo Cipolletta ◽  
Jacopo Di Battista ◽  
Marco Di Carlo ◽  
Andrea Di Matteo ◽  
Fausto Salaffi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To investigate whether baseline monosodium urate (MSU) burden estimated by ultrasound (US) predicts the achievement of the 2016 remission criteria for gout after 12 months. Methods In this 12-month prospective, observational and single-center study, patients with gout fulfilling all the domains of the 2016 preliminary remission criteria for gout at baseline and on urate-lowering therapy (ULT) for at least the preceding 6 months were consecutively enrolled. The US findings indicative of MSU deposits [aggregates, double contour (DC) sign, and/or tophi] were identified according to the Outcome Measure in Rheumatology US Working Group definitions. The US MSU burden was estimated by evaluating elbows, wrists, 2nd metacarpophalangeal joints, knees, ankles, and 1st metatarsophalangeal joints. Results Remission criteria were fulfilled in 21 (42.0%) out of 50 patients at 12 months. The baseline US MSU burden was significantly lower in patients who achieved remission than in those who did not fulfill the remission criteria at 12 months (1.9±1.8 vs 5.1±3.1, p<0.01). US scores and ongoing flare prophylaxis were the only significant predictors of remission with an odds ratio of 10.83 [(95%CI=1.14–102.59), p=0.04] for the absence of MSU deposits, 5.53 [(95%CI=1.34–22.76), p<0.01] for the absence of aggregates, 7.33 [(95%CI=1.71–31.44), p<0.01] for the absence of DC sign, 3.88 [(95%CI=1.08–13.92), p=0.04] for the absence of tophi, and 0.23 [(95%CI=0.07–0.75), p=0.02] for ongoing flare prophylaxis. Conclusion In gout, baseline US estimation of MSU burden is an independent predictor of the achievement of the remission criteria at 12 months.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 441.1-441
Author(s):  
E. Cipolletta ◽  
A. DI Matteo ◽  
G. Brunori ◽  
A. Moretti ◽  
W. Grassi ◽  
...  

Background:Disease remission is the goal of therapy for many chronic rheumatic diseases. In 2016, provisional gout remission criteria were proposed (1). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have compared ultrasound (US) findings in gouty patients with and without remission.Objectives:To determine the prevalence of US pathologic findings in patients with gout fulfilling and not fulfilling the provisional remission criteria and to investigate the value of the US findings as predictors of a gouty flare within 6 months.Methods:Patients with a diagnosis of gout according to the 2015 classification criteria (2) were recruited in this prospective, monocentric study. The following clinical information was recorded at baseline and after 6 months: number of gouty flares in the preceding 6 months, number of subcutaneous tophi, current serum urate level, and patient reported outcomes (pain visual analogue scale and patient global assessment visual analogue scale). Bilateral US assessment of the following anatomical areas was performed (3): elbow, wrist, II metacarpophalangeal joint, knee, ankle and I metatarsophalangeal joint. US evidence of tophi, aggregates, double contour sign and synovitis were recorded according to the correspondent OMERACT definitions.Results:Forty-nine patients with gout were consecutively enrolled. The remission criteria were satisfied in 9 (18.4%) patients. Monosodium urate (MSU) deposits and findings of synovitis were observed by US less frequently in patients in remission (55.6% and 22.2%), compared with those not fulfilling the criteria (100.0% and 72.5%) (p values<0.01). The US MSU total score was 1.0; 0.0–2.0 (median and inter-quartile range) for patients in remission, compared with 6.0; 5.0–7.0 for those not fulfilling the criteria (p<0.01). US synovitis total score was significantly correlated with patient global assessment (R=0.55, p<0.01), patient pain (R=0.51, p<0.01) and number of gouty attacks in the previous 6 months (R=0.36, p=0.03), whereas MSU total score was associated with the number of gouty attacks in the previous 6 months (R=0.49, p<0.01), the number of subcutaneous tophi (R=0.45, p<0.01), patient pain (R=0.41, p=0.01), patient global assessment (R=0.41, p<0.01). At logistic regression analysis, the presence of subcutaneous tophi (OR=2.8, p=0.02), CRP level (OR=6.5, p=0.04) and US synovitis score (OR=2.0, p=0.04) and were predictors of subsequent development of gouty flare within 6 months.Conclusion:This study provides new insights into the inter-critical phase of gout, highlighting the clinical relevance of US synovitis as a predictor of subsequent development of gouty flare and joint pain. Despite MSU deposits are still detectable in patients satisfying the 2016 provisional remission criteria for gout, the remission is associated with less US detected MSU deposits.References:[1]de Lautour H, et al. Development of preliminary Remission Criteria for Gout Using Delphi and 1000Minds Consensus Exercises. Arthritis Care Res 2016[2]Neogi T, et al. 2015 Gout classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis 2015[3]Naredo E, et al. Ultrasound-detected musculoskeletal urate crystal deposition: which joints and what findings should be assessed for diagnosing gout? Ann Rheum Dis 2014Disclosure of Interests: :Edoardo Cipolletta: None declared, Andrea Di Matteo Grant/research support from: the publication was conducted while Dr. Di Matteo was an ARTICULUM fellow, Giada Brunori: None declared, Antonella Moretti: None declared, Walter Grassi Speakers bureau: Prof. Grassi reports personal fees from AbbVie, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Grünenthal, personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Union Chimique Belge Pharma, outside the submitted work., Emilio Filippucci Speakers bureau: Dr. Filippucci reports personal fees from AbbVie, personal fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, personal fees from Celgene, personal fees from Roche, personal fees from Union Chimique Belge Pharma, personal fees from Pfizer, outside the submitted work.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoo Jin Lee ◽  
Dong Wook Kim ◽  
Soo Jin Jung ◽  
Hye Jin Baek

Objective: The factors that influence the acquisition of adequate samples during liquid-based cytology (LBC) remain unclear. This study aimed to identify factors that affect cytological adequacy in LBC after ultrasonography (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) of thyroid nodules. Study Design: From January 2017 to May 2017, a single radiologist performed US-FNA to diagnose 112 thyroid nodules in 112 consecutive patients. Based on US findings after US-FNA, the size, location, position, composition, calcification, and vascularity of each nodule, as well as the US-based diagnosis, were investigated by the same radiologist. Blinded to US information, a single cytopathologist investigated cytological adequacy, cytological cellularity, and Bethesda category. Results: Of the 112 thyroid nodules, cytological adequacy was achieved in 91.1% (102/112). Thyroid nodules with sizes ≥20 mm or those that were predominantly cystic showed a higher rate of cytological inadequacy (p < 0.05). Thyroid nodule location, position, calcification status, and vascularity did not influence cytological adequacy, nor did US-based diagnosis (p > 0.05). Nodule composition or calcification significantly influenced cytological cellularity (p < 0.05), whereas nodule size, location, position, vascularity, and US-based diagnosis did not (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Most investigated factors did not influence cytological adequacy or cellularity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1234-1241
Author(s):  
Adina Octavia Duse ◽  
Delia Berceanu Vaduva ◽  
Mirela Nicolov ◽  
Cristina Trandafirescu ◽  
Marcel Berceanu Vaduva ◽  
...  

Acute gouty arthritis represents an inflammatory response to microcrystals of monosodium urate that precipitate in joint tissues from supersaturated body fluids or are shed from preexisting articular deposits [1]. Gout is a metabolic disease characterized by recurrent episodes of arthritis associated with the presence of monosodium urate crystals in the tissue or synovial fluid during the attack.These forms of crystal-induced arthritis usually affect peripheral joints, including knee, ankle, wrist, and metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. All of them may be associated with other inflammatory, endocrine diseases [2]. The present study was done to highlight the relationship between increased levels of uric acid and specific laboratory tests in order to possible forecast development of further disease in patients with gouty arthrithis.The present study was done on 34 patients hospitalized in Felix Hospital of Rehabilitation in 2015-2016, with age between 44 and 74, having the main diagnosis of gouty arthritis.We studied the following laboratory tests:urea and other related analysis, like uric acid, creatinine, cholesterol, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and glutamate oxalate transaminase.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2413
Author(s):  
Jee-Youn Hong ◽  
Jin-Ha Kim ◽  
Seo-yeon Kim ◽  
Ji-Hee Sung ◽  
Suk-Joo Choi ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate whether a difference in gestational age according to biparietal diameter (BPD) and abdominal circumference (AC) could be a clinically useful predictor of placental abruption during the intrapartum period. This retrospective cohort study was based on singletons who were delivered after 32 + 0 weeks between July 2015 and July 2020. We only included cases with at least two antepartum sonographies available within 4 weeks of delivery (n = 2790). We divided the study population into two groups according to the presence or absence of placental abruption and compared the clinical variables. The incidence of placental abruption was 2.0% (56/2790) and was associated with an older maternal age, a higher rate of preeclampsia, and being small for the gestational age. A difference of >2 weeks in gestational age according to BPD and AC occurred at a higher rate in the placental abruption group compared to the no abruption group (>2 weeks, 21.4% (12/56) vs. 7.5% (205/2734), p < 0.001; >3 weeks, 12.5% (7/56) vs. 2.0% (56/2734), p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the differences of >2 weeks and >3 weeks were both independent risk factors for placental abruption (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval), 2.289 (1.140–4.600) and 3.918 (1.517–9.771), respectively) after adjusting for maternal age, preeclampsia, and small for gestational age births. We identified that a difference in gestational age of >2 weeks between BPD and AC could be an independent predictor of placental abruption.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1086.2-1087
Author(s):  
T. Okano ◽  
T. Koike ◽  
K. Inui ◽  
K. Mamoto ◽  
Y. Yamada ◽  
...  

Background:In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), biologics treatment is one of the effective treatment options. Usually, there is no difference in therapeutic effect regardless of which biologics is used, but the effect for joint synovitis is unknown. Recently, ultrasound (US) has played a role of sensitive imaging modality in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with RA.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the improvement of US findings between TNF inhibitors and non-TNF inhibitors at first biologics in patients with RA.Methods:Fifty-four RA patients who started the first biologics from September 2016 to December 2018 were included in this longitudinal study (SPEEDY study, UMIN000028260). All the patients were performed clinical examination, blood test and US examination at baseline, 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks. A US examination was performed at the bilateral first to fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, first interphalangeal (IP) and second to fifth proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints (three part of radial, medial and ulnar) and first to fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, by using HI VISION Ascendus (Hitachi Medical Corporation, Japan) with a multifrequency linear transducer (18-6 MHz). The gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) findings were assessed by the semi-quantitative method (0-3). GS score and PD score (both 0-108 points) were defined as the sum of each score. The change of disease activity and US findings were compared between TNF group and non-TNF group.Results:Among 54 cases, 32 patients were used TNF inhibitor and 22 were non-TNF inhibitor. Age and duration of RA were significantly higher in the non-TNF group, and MTX dose was significantly lower in the non-TNF group. The baseline inflammatory markers tended to be higher in the non-TNF group and the disease activity was also higher in the non-TNF group. However, the US findings showed no significant difference in both GS and PD between two groups at baseline. US improvement ratio was no difference between TNF group and non-TNF group at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks in both GS and PD score. Regardless of the type of biologics, patients with long-term disease duration tended to have poor improvement in US synovial fingings.Table 1.Baseline patient and disease characteristicsTNF (n=32)non-TNF (n=22)P valueFemale patients, n (%)21 (65.6)16 (72.7)0.767Age (years)63.5±15.471.0±9.00.030Disease duration (years)6.5±8.213.0±11.70.032CRP (mg/dl)1.8±2.53.0±3.20.170DAS28-ESR5.0±1.45.8±1.20.022GS score26.1±18.831.8±21.10.313PD score17.6±11.423.1±14.60.150Figure 1.GS and PD improvement ratio at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeksConclusion:There was no difference in the US findings improvement between patients with TNF inhibitor and non-TNF inhibitor at first biologics in patients with RA.References:[1]Grassi W, Okano T, Di Geso L, Filippucci E. Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: options, uses and optimization. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2015;11:1131-46.[2]Nishino A, Kawashiri SY, Koga T, et al. Ultrasonographic Efficacy of Biologic andTargeted Synthetic Disease-ModifyingAntirheumatic Drug Therapy in RheumatoidArthritis From a Multicenter RheumatoidArthritis Ultrasound Prospective Cohort in Japan. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70:1719-26.Acknowledgements:We wish to thank Atsuko Kamiyama, Tomoko Nakatsuka for clinical assistant, Setsuko Takeda, Emi Yamashita, Yuko Yoshida, Rika Morinaka, Hatsue Ueda and Tomomi Iwahashi for their special efforts as a sonographer and collecting data.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Esra AlHamadani ◽  
Sania Zia ◽  
Ali AlRahma ◽  
Firas AlNajjar

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Several studies promoted anosmia as a possible isolated symptom for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). No studies used feasible methods of smell testing that the public would use to address the accuracy of these claims. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a single-center study conducted between April 2020 and June 2020. The sense of smell was tested in vitally stable suspected COVID-19 patients with no/mild upper respiratory tract infection symptoms prior to nasopharyngeal swabbing for reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Patients were instructed to close their eyes. Each nostril was tested separately while the other was blocked with the patient’s index finger. Patients inhaled from 2 concealed vials (coffee and strawberry essence) consecutively, kept within 30 cm of the nostril for 60 s. Patients who could not identify both odors with both nostrils were recorded as “anosmia.” <b><i>Results:</i></b> Out of 346 eligible subjects, 43 had anosmia of which 26 (60%) tested COVID-19 positive. χ<sup>2</sup> test showed a <i>p</i> value &#x3c;0.001. The test showed a sensitivity of 30% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21%, 41%) and specificity 94% (95% CI 90%, 96%). Logistic regression revealed an odds ratio of 5.9 (95% CI 3.0, 12) <i>p</i> value &#x3c;0.001. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Given the low sensitivity (30%) of this method in detecting COVID-19 infection, we conclude that this method is not a useful screening tool for COVID-19 infection. The moderate negative predictive value (80%) is nongeneralizable.


Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Flowers ◽  
Cesar Molina ◽  
Ashish Mathur ◽  
Bradley Aouizerat ◽  
Mintu Turakhia

Background South Asians have increased disk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is not captured by traditional risk factors, including TC and LDL-c. Low-density apolipoprotein-B (apoB) containing lipoproteins are heterogeneous in size and composition, and the particles with the greatest triglyceride content are thought to ultimately be the most atherogenic. Specific composition of low-density lipoproteins is not captured by common lipid measures (i.e. TC, LDL-c). A high proportion of triglyceride-rich low-density lipoproteins could be a mechanism for CVD risk in South Asians. Our objective was to compare mean TC, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, and apoB-triglyceride ratio (an estimate of low-density lipoprotein content) between South Asian-Americans and the US population. Methods We studied 2,876 South Asian adults living in the United States participating in a wellness program. Demographics were obtained by self-report. Lipoprotein levels were measured after 10-hour fast. US population means were calculated from NHANES (2007-2008, n = 5,113). Individuals on lipid-lowering therapy were excluded (780 (33%) South Asians, 1,194 (19%) NHANES). Results LDL-c (118mg/dL vs 116mg/dL, p<0.05) and triglycerides (139mg/dL vs 131 mg/dL, p<0.05) were higher in South Asians than the US population, whereas TC was lower (192mg/dL vs 197 mg/dL, p<0.05). HDL-c was lower in South Asians (46mg/dL vs 52mg/dL, p<0.05). ApoB was not statistically significantly different (93mg/dL vs 92mg/dL, p = 0.1), however the apoB/triglyceride ratio was lower in South Asians (0.8 vs 0.9, p<0.05). After stratifying for age by decade and gender, we found that South Asians have lower HDL-c until the age of 50, and lower apoB/triglyceride ratio until the age of 60, with no substantial differences between men and women. Conclusions Mean TC, LDL-c, and triglycerides were normal in South Asians, however the apoB/triglyceride ratio was lower in South Asians than in the US population. This finding indicates that a higher proportion of low-density lipoproteins in South Asians are of the triglyceride-rich atherogenic type. This may portend non-HDL-c as a better indicator of CVD risk than LDL-c in South Asians. Further, low apoB/triglyceride ratio and low HDL-c occurs at a young age in South Asians, suggesting that onset of risk is early. The disappearance of these patterns after age 60 may be the result of sample bias (excluding individuals on lipid lowering therapy), and/or survival bias.


2021 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-247
Author(s):  
Mehdi Shirazi ◽  
Umayir Chowdhury ◽  
Faisal Ahmed ◽  
Mohammad-Bagher Rajabalian ◽  
Hossein-Ali Nikbakht ◽  
...  

Objective: During meatotomy procedure for children with meatal stenosis (MS), a straight clamp used as a hemostat on the ventrum of the meatus before incised with scissors for clamping and holding bleeding from the site of operation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimum clamping time for meatotomy in children with MS. Materials and methods: All the patients with MS between 2014 to 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients with uncircumcised penis, traumatic catheterization, any kind of penile abnormality such as hypospadias or penile curvature, and active urinary tract infection (UTI) were excluded. The indication of meatotomy was a pinpoint meatus that develops with dorsal or lateral deflection of the urinary stream and high-velocity urine flow. During meatotomy procedure, clamping time was examined in different groups such as 2, 3, and 4 minutes. The main symptoms of presentation and ultrasonography (US) findings were recorded and compared between groups. To assess the optimum time clamping, postoperative bleeding was noted carefully in all groups. The success rate was recorded at onemonth postoperative follow-up in the clinic. Results: Of the 120 patients with MS who underwent a meatotomy procedure, there were 40 (33.3%) participants in each group. The main symptoms were painful urination and urine stream deviation that represented in 54 (46%) patients. Bladder wall thickness was the main pre-operation finding in the US which was observed in 67 (55.8%) patients. In comparison between the groups related to clamping time, bleeding was observed and required suturing when clamping was applied for 2 minutes in 4 (3.3%) patients (p = 0.016). With a minimum follow-up of 12 months, no recurrent meatal stenosis was reported. Conclusions: Clamping time for more than 2 minutes may prevent bleeding during and after meatotomy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherif Mohamed ◽  
Hassan Bayoumi ◽  
Nashwa Abd El-Aziz ◽  
Ehab Mousa ◽  
Yasser Gamal

Background: No studies have addressed the impact of lung cancer (LC) on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Upper Egypt. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for LC among IPF patients and its impact on their outcomes and survival in Upper Egypt. Methods: A total of 246 patients with IPF who had complete clinical and follow up data were reviewed. They were categorized into 2 groups: 34 patients with biopsy-proven LC and IPF (LC-IPF) and 212 patients with IPF only (IPF). Survival and clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results: Prevalence of LC was 13.8%. Pack/years was the most significant predictor for LC development in IPF (Odds ratio; 3.225, CI 1.257–1.669, p = 0.001). Survival in patients with LC-IPF was significantly worse than in patients with IPF without LC; median survival, 35 months vs 55 months; p = 0.000. LC accompanying IPF was one of the most significant independent predictors of survival in IPF patients (Hazard ratio 5.431, CI 2.186–13.492, p = 0.000). Mortality in LC-IPF patients was mainly due to LC progression in 36% and LC therapy-related complications in 22%. Conclusions: Prevalence of LC in IPF patients was 13.8%. Lung cancer has significant impacts on patients with IPF in Upper Egypt, in terms of clinical outcomes and survival. Smoking is the most significant independent predictor of LC development in IPF patients. A poorer survival was observed for patients with IPF developing LC, mainly due to LC progression, and to complications of its therapies. Further prospective, multicenter and larger studies are warranted.


Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (18) ◽  
pp. e1561-e1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin P. George ◽  
Sara J. Doyle ◽  
George P. Albert ◽  
Ania Busza ◽  
Robert G. Holloway ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo investigate changes in emergency department (ED) transfers for ischemic stroke (IS) and TIA.MethodsWe performed a retrospective observational study using the US Nationwide Emergency Department Sample to identify changes in interfacility ED transfers for IS and TIA from the perspective of the transferring ED (2006–2014). We calculated nationwide transfer rates and individual ED transfer rates for IS/TIA by diagnosis and hospital characteristics. Hospital-level fractional logistic regression examined changes in transfer rates over time.ResultsThe population-estimated number of transfers for IS/TIA increased from 22,576 patient visits in 2006 to 54,485 patient visits in 2014 (p trend < 0.001). The rate of IS/TIA transfer increased from 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0–3.8) in 2006 to 7.6 (95% CI 7.2–7.9) in 2014 per 100 ED visits. Among individual EDs, mean transfer rates for IS/TIA increased from 8.2 per 100 ED visits (median 2.0, interquartile range [IQR] 0–10.2) to 19.4 per 100 ED visits (median 8.1, IQR 1.1–33.3) (2006–2014) (p trend < 0.001). Transfers were more common among IS. Transfer rates were greatest among rural (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.05, 95% CI 2.56–3.64) vs urban/teaching and low-volume EDs (AOR 7.49, 95% CI 6.58–8.53, 1st vs 4th quartile). The adjusted odds of transfer for IS/TIA increased threefold (2006–2014).ConclusionsInterfacility ED transfers for IS/TIA more than doubled from 2006 to 2014. Further work should determine the necessity of IS/TIA transfers and seek to optimize the US stroke care system.


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