scholarly journals The Adequacy of Evaluation by Rheumatologists before Undergoing Arthroscopic Synovectomy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-7
Author(s):  
Neunghan Jeon ◽  
Hyun Jun Kim ◽  
Min Jong Park

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the progression of arthritis and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) through the treatment-resistant mono joint rheumatoid arthritis treated with arthroscopic synovectomy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 65 patients who underwent arthroscopic synovectomy for rheumatoid wrist or elbow which had not responded to systemic treatment for at least 6 months. The main treatment response evaluation methods of rheumatologists were the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria, and the ACR/EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) remission criteria. The medical records, results of laboratory tests and radiographs of wrist or elbow that had been performed by rheumatologists before arthroscopic synovectomy were investigated. We examined whether the results of laboratory tests and arthritic change of radiograph had statistically significant correlation. Results: The mean duration of joint symptom until referral to orthopedic department was 23 months (range, 1 month to 9.2 years). During this period, rheumatologists had took average one X-ray (range, 0–3). Forty-seven patients (72.3%) had CRP of 1 mg/dL or less as included in the ACR/EULAR remission criteria. Seventeen out of 65 patients who had two or more X-ray were able to evaluate the progression of arthritis. The change of arthritis and mean ESR (p=0.787) or CRP (p=0.303) the same period didn’t have statistically significant relationship (Spearman correlation analysis).Conclusion: Since the method of evaluating the treatment response of rheumatologists is to assess the systemic condition, arthritis of one joint that is resistant to treatment is considered to require periodic radiographs as method to assess itself.

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingxi Zhang ◽  
Qiang Liu ◽  
Chutong Lin ◽  
Yangjin Baima ◽  
Hu Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Tibet Autonomous Region (China). Methods A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1458 residents of Luoma Town, Tibet Autonomous Region, who were aged ≥ 40 years old. We interviewed participants using questionnaires, and rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. The identification of RA in this study was on the basis of criteria issued by the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) guideline. Results Herein, 782 participants completed all items of RA. The overall prevalence of RA was 4.86%, and the prevalence was higher in women than that in men (7.14% vs. 2.56%, p = 0.005). The age-standardized prevalence of RA was 6.30% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.20–8.64%), which was 2.46% (95% CI 1.04%, 4.10%) and 9.59% (95% CI 5.93%, 13.77%) in men and women, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of RA is relatively higher in the Tibet than that in other areas of China.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kgomotso Kgoebane ◽  
Mahmood M.T.M. Ally ◽  
Martha C. Duim-Beytell ◽  
Farhana E. Suleman

Conventional radiographs of the hands and feet have traditionally been used in the diagnosis, management and monitoring of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, they are not sensitive enough to detect changes early in the disease process. Erosions may only be visible up to two years after the onset of disease, and soft tissue involvement may not be detected at all. Early diagnosis can also be made challenging as markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein may be normal in up to 20% – 25% of cases. The latest classification criteria (American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism [ACR/EULAR] Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification criteria 2010), often used to diagnose RA, incorporate the role of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging detection of synovitis, enabling earlier diagnosis and correct classification of patients. This article looks at the role of the various imaging modalities used in the diagnosis and management of RA.


2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1155-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
BINDEE KURIYA ◽  
YE SUN ◽  
GILLES BOIRE ◽  
BOULOS HARAOUI ◽  
CAROL HITCHON ◽  
...  

Objective.To describe the frequency of remission in an early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) cohort.Methods.The frequency of remission was evaluated, based on 8 definitions including the Boolean-based American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) criteria.Results.Of 369 patients, remission at 12 months ranged from 18% according to the ACR/EULAR clinical trial criteria to 40% according to the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) < 2.6. Higher tender joint count, swollen joint count, and physician global scores were seen for DAS28-based definitions, and patient global assessment (PtGA) scores were almost 5-fold higher for DAS28 remission.Conclusion.Remission is achievable in ERA but its frequency differs according to the remission definition applied. Adoption of the new ACR/EULAR definition will limit the number classified as in remission, especially if the PtGA criteria are rated high for reasons other than inflammatory arthritis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian H D van Tuyl ◽  
Karin Britsemmer ◽  
George A Wells ◽  
Josef S Smolen ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe new American College for Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) remission criteria are based on the assessment of 28 joints. A study was undertaken to study the consequences of remission misclassification due to residual disease activity in the feet on physical function and joint damage in the subsequent year in an observational early disease cohort.MethodsAll patients with rheumatoid arthritis at inclusion or at 1-year follow-up in the early arthritis cohort of the Jan van Breemen Institute, The Netherlands were included. ACR/EULAR remission definitions for trials and clinical practice were calculated twice, once using a 28-joint count and once using a 38-joint count that included the 10 metatarsophalangeal joints. Disease stability was defined as stable x-ray scores over 1 year (change ≤0 in Sharp/van der Heijde scores) and stable and low scores on the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ change ≤0 and HAQ score consistently ≤0.5), all during the second year after inclusion. Analyses comprised residual disease activity (swollen or tender joints >0) in the feet of patients who fulfilled the candidate remission criteria using a 28-joint count and likelihood ratios of remission definitions to predict disease stability.ResultsOf 421 patients, 9–15% reached remission at 1 year using a 28-joint count. Of these, 26–40% showed activity in the feet. Misclassification due to reduced joint counts was observed in 2–3%. A state of remission increased the likelihood of stability of both x-ray and HAQ, with similar likelihood ratios for definitions using 38-joint counts and those using 28-joint counts.ConclusionThe ability of remission definitions with 28-joint counts versus 38-joint counts to predict long-term good radiological and functional outcome is similar. This confirms that inclusion of ankles and forefeet in the assessment of remission is not required, although inclusion of these joints in the examination is recommended.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 2153-2160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Anandarajah ◽  
Ralf Thiele ◽  
Ellen Giampoli ◽  
Johnny Monu ◽  
Gwy-Suk Seo ◽  
...  

Objective.The purpose of our study was to test the hypothesis that synovitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who meet remission criteria reflects active inflammation on histopathology.Methods.We analyzed 15 synovial specimens obtained during surgical procedures from 14 patients with RA in clinical remission as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Histological specimens were scored for hyperplasia of synovial lining and synovial stroma, inflammation, lymphoid follicles, and vascularity. The histology scores were classified as minimal, mild, moderate, or severe disease activity. US and MRI performed within a 4-month period of surgery were scored for disease activity. The correlation between histology and imaging scores was examined.Results.Four of 14 patients were receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, 4 were receiving methotrexate (MTX) alone, 4 were taking MTX and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and 1 was taking HCQ and sulfasalazine. Four specimens had severe, 6 moderate, 3 mild, and 2 minimal disease activity on histology. Three of 4 specimens with minimal and mild histology were observed in subjects receiving anti-TNF therapy. Synovitis was noted on greyscale in 80% of joints and Doppler signal in 60%. MRI demonstrated synovitis and bone marrow edema in 86% of images. Positive but not significant correlations were noted between histology and synovitis scores on US.Conclusion.Despite clinical remission, histology and imaging studies documented a persistently active disease state that may explain the mechanism for radiographic progression.


Author(s):  
Yongji Li ◽  
Wendi Yang ◽  
Feng Wang

Abstract Background Cell division control protein 42 (CDC42) is reported to be involved in multiple inflammation processes by regulating T cell differentiation, maintaining immune cell homeostasis, and altering their function, while no relevant studies explored its clinical role in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the correlation of CDC42 with Th1 and Th17 cells and its association with disease risk, activity, and treatment outcomes of RA. Methods After the enrollment of 95 active RA patients and 50 healthy subjects (HC), their CDC42, Th1 cells, and Th17 cells were assayed by RT-qPCR and flow cytometry, accordingly. For RA patients only, CDC42 was also detected at W6, and W12 after treatment. The treatment response and remission status were evaluated at W12. Results Compared to HC, CDC42 was reduced (P < 0.001), while Th1 cells (P = 0.021) and Th17 cells (P < 0.001) were increased in RA patients. Besides, CDC42 was negatively correlated with Th17 cells (P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P = 0.012), C-reactive protein (P = 0.002), and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) (P = 0.007), but did not relate to Th1 cells or other disease features (all P > 0.05) in RA patients. Furthermore, CDC42 was elevated during treatment in RA patients (P < 0.001). Moreover, CDC42 increment at W12 correlated with treatment response (P = 0.004). Besides, CDC42 elevation at W0 (P = 0.038), W6 (P = 0.001), and W12 (P < 0.001) also linked with treatment remission. Conclusion CDC42 has the potential to serve as a biomarker to monitor disease activity and treatment efficacy in patients with RA.


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