scholarly journals Ultrasound in clinically suspect arthralgia: the role of power Doppler to predict rheumatoid arthritis development

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Molina Collada ◽  
Katerine López Gloria ◽  
Isabel Castrejón ◽  
Juan Carlos Nieto-González ◽  
Javier Rivera ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To determine the usefulness of power Doppler (PD) ultrasound (US) to predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA). Methods Retrospective analysis of a US unit cohort over a 1-year period. Patients with CSA and no previous diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis (IA) were included for analysis. All underwent bilateral US examination of the hands and/or feet according to the EULAR guidelines. Active US inflammation was defined as PD synovitis and/or tenosynovitis ≥1 at any location. RA diagnosis according to clinician criteria 6 months after the US examination was checked. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to investigate possible predictive factors of RA development. Results A total of 110 CSA patients (80 females, mean age 53.6 years) were included for analysis. After 6 months of follow-up, 14 (12.7%) developed RA and 34 (30.9%) IA. US active inflammation was present in 38 (34.5%) patients (28.2% showed PD synovitis and 18.2% PD tenosynovitis). Multivariate analysis showed that ACPA (OR 1.0003; 95% CI 1.002–1.006) and ESR (OR 1.054; 95% CI 1.016–1.094) were significantly associated with the detection of US active inflammation at baseline. Only PD tenosynovitis was found to be an independent predictive factor of an evolution towards RA (OR 6.982; 95% CI 1.106–44.057) and IA (OR 5.360; 95% CI 1.012–28.390). Conclusion US is able to detect features of subclinical inflammation in CSA patients, especially in those with higher ESR and ACPA values. Only PD tenosynovitis at baseline US assessment was found to be an independent predictor of RA and IA development in CSA patients.

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


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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamaria Iagnocco ◽  
Esperanza Naredo ◽  
Richard Wakefield ◽  
George A.W. Bruyn ◽  
Paz Collado ◽  
...  

Objective.To summarize the work performed by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound (US) Task Force on the validity of different US measures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) presented during the OMERACT 11 Workshop.Methods.The Task Force is an international group aiming to iteratively improve the role of US in arthritis clinical trials. Recently a major focus of the group has been the assessment of responsiveness of a person-level US synovitis score in RA: the US Global Synovitis Score (US-GLOSS) combines synovial hypertrophy and power Doppler signal in a composite score detected at joint level. Work has also commenced examining assessment of tenosynovitis in RA and the role of US in JIA.Results.The US-GLOSS was tested in a large RA cohort treated with biologic therapy. It showed early signs of improvement in synovitis starting at Day 7 and increasing to Month 6, and demonstrated sensitivity to change of the proposed grading. Subsequent voting questions concerning the application of the US-GLOSS were endorsed by > 80% of OMERACT delegates. A standardized US scoring system for detecting and grading severity of RA tenosynovitis and tendon damage has been developed, and acceptable reliability data were presented from a series of exercises. A preliminary consensus definition of US synovitis in pediatric arthritis has been developed and requires further testing.Conclusion.At OMERACT 11, consensus was achieved on the application of the US-GLOSS for evaluating synovitis in RA; and work continues on development of RA tenosynovitis scales as well as in JIA synovitis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1099.2-1099
Author(s):  
R. Fakhfakh ◽  
N. El Amri ◽  
K. Baccouche ◽  
H. Zeglaoui ◽  
E. Bouajina

Background:Sustained remission (SR) is an ultimate treatment goal in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1) and is associated with better RA prognosis, reflected by the quality of life, physical function and radiographic progression (2).Objectives:To investigate the prevalence and predictors of SR in RA patients.Methods:A longitudinal prospective study of patients with RA. At the inclusion, the patients were in remission DAS28 ESR≤ 2.6 for at least 6 months. A B-mode and power doppler (PD) ultrasound of 42 joints and 20 tendons was performed. Synovial hypertrophy (SH) and tenosynovitis in B-mode and PD were defined and scored from 0 to 3 using the OMERACT. The CDAI, SDAI, Boolean remission criteria, the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and the radiological Sharp score were calculated. Then, the DAS28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was evaluated at 6 and 12 months. SR was defined as the persistence of a DAS28 ESR≤2.6 at 6 or 12 months without any change in RA therapy during the follow-up. Unstable remission (UR) was defined either as DAS28 ESR > 2.6 at 6 or 12 months or an increase in RA therapy because of a relapse during the follow-up.Results:At baseline, thirty-seven patients were included. At 6 and 12 months, 28 and 24 patients completed follow-up, respectively. In decreasing order, Boolean remission (92.2%), DAS28ESRremission (85.7%), SDAI remission (85%) and CDAI remission (83.3%) achieved SR at 6 months. At 12 months, SR was found in 100% in Boolean remission, 87.5% in SDAI remission, 86.7% in CDAI remission and in 79.7% in DAS28 ESR remission. At 6 months, only the ESR (17mm/1h in SR versus 32 mm/1h in UR, p=0.04) was associated with SR. The disease duration, remission duration, swollen and tender joints, DAS28ESR, HAQ, rheumatoid factor, radiological Sharp score and ultrasound parameters weren’t associated with SR. At 12 months, the squeeze test (15% in SR vs 80% in UR, P=0.01), the ESR (15 mm/1h in SR versus 30 mm/1h in UR, p=0.03), the Boolean remission (61.1% in SR versus 0% in UR, p=0.04) and the DAS28ESR (mean: 1.8 in SR versus 2.5 in UR, P=0.01) were associated with SR. However, no association was found with radiological Sharp score and ultrasound parameters. On multivariate analysis, the ESR (OR=1.13, CI95%=1.01-1.2, p=0.03) and the Squeeze test (OR=21.3, CI95%=1.7-263, p=0.01) were predictors of SR, at 12 months.Conclusion:At 6 and 12 months, 79.7%-85.7% of patients in DAS28 ESR remission achieved sustained remission, respectively. Boolean and DAS28 ESR remission were associated with SR. Unlike DAS28 ESR, Boolean remission seems to reflect more the SR. The squeeze test and the ESR were predictors’ factor. However, the radiological and the ultrasound parameters didn’t show any association.References:[1]Ajeganova S, Huizinga T. Sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis: latest evidence and clinical considerations. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2017;9(10):249-62.[2]Xie W, Li J, Zhang X, Sun X, Zhang Z. Sustained clinical remission of rheumatoid arthritis and its predictive factors in an unselected adult Chinese population from 2009 to 2018. Int J Rheum Dis. 2019;22(9):1670-8.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Author(s):  
Kosuke Inoue ◽  
Roch Nianogo ◽  
Donatello Telesca ◽  
Atsushi Goto ◽  
Vahe Khachadourian ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective It is unclear whether relatively low glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are beneficial or harmful for the long-term health outcomes among people without diabetes. We aimed to investigate the association between low HbA1c levels and mortality among the US general population. Methods This study includes a nationally representative sample of 39 453 US adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999–2014, linked to mortality data through 2015. We employed the parametric g-formula with pooled logistic regression models and the ensemble machine learning algorithms to estimate the time-varying risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by HbA1c categories (low, 4.0 to &lt;5.0%; mid-level, 5.0 to &lt;5.7%; prediabetes, 5.7 to &lt;6.5%; and diabetes, ≥6.5% or taking antidiabetic medication), adjusting for 72 potential confounders including demographic characteristics, lifestyle, biomarkers, comorbidities and medications. Results Over a median follow-up of 7.5 years, 5118 (13%) all-cause deaths, and 1116 (3%) cardiovascular deaths were observed. Logistic regression models and machine learning algorithms showed nearly identical predictive performance of death and risk estimates. Compared with mid-level HbA1c, low HbA1c was associated with a 30% (95% CI, 16 to 48) and a 12% (95% CI, 3 to 22) increased risk of all-cause mortality at 5 years and 10 years of follow-up, respectively. We found no evidence that low HbA1c levels were associated with cardiovascular mortality risk. The diabetes group, but not the prediabetes group, also showed an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Conclusions Using the US national database and adjusting for an extensive set of potential confounders with flexible modelling, we found that adults with low HbA1c were at increased risk of all-cause mortality. Further evaluation and careful monitoring of low HbA1c levels need to be considered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 497.2-497
Author(s):  
J. Arroyo Palomo ◽  
M. Arce Benavente ◽  
C. Pijoan Moratalla ◽  
B. A. Blanco Cáceres ◽  
A. Rodriguez

Background:Musculoeskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is frequently used in several rheumatology units to detect subclinical inflammation in patients with joint symptoms suspected for progression to inflammatory arthritis (IA). Synovitis grade I (EULAR-OMERACT combined score) is known to be a casual finding in healthy individuals, but studies headed to unravel its possible role on rheumatic diseases are sparse.Objectives:To investigate the correlation between synovitis grade I, and the diagnosis of IA made after a year follow-up period since MSUS findings, in patients of an MSUS-specialized unit of a Rheumatology Department.Methods:We conducted a descriptive, retrospective and unicentric study. 30 patients were selected from the MSUS-specialized unit of our Rheumatology Department from July-18 to January-19. Patients presenting synovitis grade 0 (exclusively), 2 and/or 3 on combined score were excluded. Data collection at baseline included age, sex, immunological profile and previous physical examination to the MSUS findings, as well as the diagnosis made by the rheumatologist in 1-year visit follow-up: dividing the patient sample into two groups: those who were diagnosed with IA and those not. Non-parametric statistical tests for comparing means were used.Results:The mean age was 51,6 years and 70% were females. 6 (20%) patients were diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis after a year follow-up: 2 (4,8%) psoriatic arthritis, 1 (3,3%) undifferentiated arthritis, 1 (3,3%) rheumatoid arthritis, 1 (3,3%) Sjögren’s syndrome. Non-inflammatory arthropathies were also found 24 (80%), of which, 12 (40%) were non-specific arthralgias and 8 (19%) osteoarthritis.In the group of patients who did not developed an IA the mean C-reactive protein (CPR) value was 3,12 mg/L and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 8,2 mm; all of them were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and ACPA-negative except one patient. 5 (31,3%) patients presented low antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) levels. In those who HLA B-27 and Cw6 were tested (4,25%); both were negative except for one that was HLA B-27 positive. The median number of swollen and painful joint count was 0, and the mean of joints with MSUS involvement was 3,5; the mean involved metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints was 1,83; proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints was 1,48 and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints 0,21.Among the group of patients that developed an IA the mean of CPR and ESR was 9,27 mg/L and 14,17 mm respectively; 2 (33%) patients were RF- positive, and 1 ACPA-positive. ANAs were positive in 3 cases (50%). The median of swollen joint count was 2 and for painful joint count was 0, the median of joints with MSUS involvement was 4,5. The mean of MSUS involvement was for MCP, PIP and DIP joints: 1,67, 2 and 0. Comparing the means of CPR values in the two groups with Student’s t-test we obtained a statistically significant difference (p=0,023). No other significant differences were found.Conclusion:Despite the limitations and possible statistical bias, the presence of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I and elevated CRP levels could be related to further diagnoses of inflammatory arthropathy. Besides, the absence of synovitis in DIP joints might have a diagnostic role. Normal physical exploration and normal levels of CRP might suggest low MSUS value. However, further research is needed to clarify the role of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I.References:[1]D’Agostino MA et al. Scoring ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: a EULAR-OMERACT ultrasound taskforce-Part 1: definition and development of a standardized, consensus-based scoring system. RMD Open. 2017;3(1):e000428.[2]Van den Berg R et al. What is the value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients presenting with arthralgia to predict inflammatory arthritis development? A systematic literature review. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2018) 20:228.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


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


RMD Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e001372
Author(s):  
Sella Aarrestad Provan ◽  
Brigitte Michelsen ◽  
Joseph Sexton ◽  
Tillmann Uhlig ◽  
Hilde Berner Hammer

ObjectivesTo define fatigue trajectories in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who initiate biological DMARD (bDMARD) treatment, and explore baseline predictors for a trajectory of continued fatigue.MethodsOne-hundred and eighty-four patients with RA initiating bDMARDs were assessed at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months. Swollen and tender joint counts, patient reported outcomes (PROMs), blood samples and ultrasound examinations were collected at each time point. Fatigue was assessed by the fatigue Numeric Rating Scale (0–10) from the Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) questionnaire. Clinically significant fatigue was predefined as fatigue ≥4. Three trajectories of interest were defined according to level of RAID fatigue: no fatigue (≤3 at 5/6 visits), improved fatigue (≥4 at start, but ≤3 at follow-up) and continued fatigue (≥4 at 5/6 visits). Baseline variables were compared between groups by bivariate analyses, and logistic regression models were used to explore baseline predictors of continued vs improved fatigue.ResultsThe majority of patients starting bDMARD therapy followed one of three fatigue trajectories, (no fatigue; n=61, improved; n=33 and continued fatigue; n=53). Patients with continued fatigue were more likely to be anti–citrullinated protein antibody and/or rheumatoid factor positive and had higher baseline PROMs compared to the other groups, while there were no differences between the groups for variables of inflammation including. Patient global, tender joint count and anxiety were predictors for the continued fatigue trajectory.DiscussionA trajectory of continued fatigue was determined by PROMs and not by inflammatory RA disease activity.


1982 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-59
Author(s):  
K. V. Zvereva ◽  
L. N. Sokolov ◽  
V. Ya. Ermolina
Keyword(s):  

In order to determine the role of synovectomy in the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the results of observations of 60 patients (75% of operated patients) aged 16 to 58 years (43 women and 17 men) were summarized. We determined the efficacy of synovectomy based on two follow-up periods: the nearest one - from 6 months to 1 year, and the long-term one - from 2 to 6 years.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-330
Author(s):  
Jen-Hung Chen ◽  
Kuo-Chin Huang ◽  
Chung-Cheng Huang ◽  
Han-Ming Lai ◽  
Wen-Yi Chou ◽  
...  

In the distal radioulnar joint, the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is an important stabilizer and are frequently found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with wrist pain. This study was designed to predict TFCC tears using high-resolution ultrasound in severe RA. We retrospectively reviewed patients with severe RA. MRI and ultrasound were performed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. TFCC tears were recorded. The predictive factors for TFCC tears were analyzed by logistic regression. During the 1-year follow-up period, 54 patients were enrolled (42 females and 12 males), of whom 21 (38.9%) developed TFCC tears. The body mass index was 22.81±2.59 kg/m2 in the TFCC tear group compared with 23.61±2.76 kg/m2 in the non-tear group (p=0.136). The mean age was 55.14±9.54 years in the TFCC tear group compared with 56.45±14.04 years in the non-tear group (p=0.596). The tear group had a higher Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) (6.36±0.47 vs 5.58±0.65, p=0.011) and higher power Doppler (PD) ultrasound score at the dorsal radiocarpal joint (1.90±1.30 vs 1.33±0.99, p=0.011) than the non-tear group. We found that high DAS28 (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.95 to 4.50; p=0.001) and higher baseline PD score (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.14; p=0.019) were significantly associated with a higher risk of TFCC tears by logistic regression. So we conclude a higher wrist PD score in severe RA predicted future TFCC tears. Therefore, we suggest to use PD score in such patients to monitor the risk of future TFCC tears.


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