scholarly journals Assessment of Disease Activity by Infrared Thermography in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study of Thermographic, Clinical and Ultrasound Assessments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOROTHEE VINSON ◽  
Caroline paris ◽  
Pierre Lafforgue ◽  
Christophe Richez ◽  
Vincent Pradel ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVES: To compare RA activity evaluation by thermal imaging with a camera adjustable to cellphones, standard clinical examination and ultrasound.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocentric study with 3 independent evaluations of RA activity: 1) tender (TJC) and swollen joints count (SJC) of wrists, MCP and PIP; 2) Ultrasound (US) examination with mode B and Power Doppler (PDUS); 3) thermographic assessment using infrared thermal cellphone camera FLIR One®. Thermal images analysis with (a) software detecting 10 regions of interest (ROI) corresponding to the studied joints and (b) by color reading (arthritis yes/no). For each ROI, temperature difference measurement “ΔT-joint” (ΔTj) compared to the ipsilateral forearm (reference area) and comparison of ΔTj to a) TJC and SJC; b) US synovitis in B mode or c) PDUS grade (0,1,2,3); d) synovitis in visual detection on thermographic image. T-tests and ANOVA were performed.RESULTS: 53 patients (43 women) with a mean (SD) age of 61.6 (12.3) years, totaling 921 examined joints. Mean disease duration was 17.6 (11.1) years. RA status was 81% ACPA+, 58% erosive, mean DAS28 score was 4.0 (1.6).Mean ΔTj was higher in tender (p<0.001), swollen (p=0.066) joints and in US synovitis in B mode (p=0.021). Mean ΔTj was not associated with PDUS category (p-ANOVA=0.072). Synovitis detected with thermal image reading was associated with PDUS grade 3 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results did not show the ability of thermal imaging to assess RA activity in small joints. However, our results are encouraging as temperature variation were observed in inflammatory joints.

2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (11) ◽  
pp. 1595-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Iftikhar ◽  
Marili Lemus ◽  
Bushra Usmani ◽  
Peter A Campochiaro ◽  
José Alain Sahel ◽  
...  

AimTo develop a simple and easily applicable classification of disease severity in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).MethodsThis is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Visual acuity (VA), visual field width (VF) and ellipsoid zone width (EZ) were obtained from medical records of patients with RP. A scoring criterion was developed wherein each variable was assigned a score from 0 to 5 depending on its distribution. The cumulative score (from 0 to 15) was used to classify disease severity from grade 0 to 5. The scores were correlated with each other and the final grade. The grades were then correlated with age and disease duration.ResultsThe median age (range) of patients (n=93) was 55 (12–87) years, 51% were female, 70% had been diagnosed within 10 years, and 50% had autosomal recessive disease. Most eyes (n=181) at least had a VA of 20/40 (67%), a VF of 20° (75%) and an EZ of 5° (76%). All scores were correlated with each other (r=0.509–0.613; p<0.001 for all) and with the final grade (r=0.790–0.869; p<0.001 for all). Except for grade 0 (5%), all grades were evenly distributed: 21% for grade 1, 23% for grade 2, 22% for grade 3, 17% for grade 4 and 12% for grade 5. Grades were correlated with both age (r=0.252; p<0.001) and disease duration (r=0.383; p<0.001).ConclusionsWe present a simple, objective and easy to use disease severity classification for RP which can be used to categorise and compare patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqun Huang ◽  
Sha Yan ◽  
Hongfu Xie ◽  
Ben Wang ◽  
Zhixiang Zhao ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with facial skin involved, leading to physical and emotional problems, which greatly affected quality of life (QoL) of patients. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and willingness to pay (WTP) are well-established instruments assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while very few studies have been focused on this topic about rosacea in China. OBJECTIVE To investigate HRQoL in Chinese rosacea patients assessed by DLQI and WTP and investigate potential predictors for patients with HRQoL severely affected. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 973 patients with rosacea. Sociodemographic data, clinical features and DLQI were collected, and WTP was assessed by three standardized items. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to investigate independent factors influencing QoL. RESULTS 921 questionnaires were accomplished by participants. The mean DLQI score was 11.6 (median 11). Patients were willing to pay an average of $1050.2 or € 896.2 (median $431.4 or € 368.1) for complete cure. 33.3% would like to pay more than 20% of their monthly income to achieve sustainable control. There were positive correlations between WTP with DLQI (P < .05). DLQI could be independently impacted by age (21-30 and 31-40, OR = 3.242 and 3.617, respectively), the occupational requirement of appearance (high, OR = 4.410), disease duration (< 2 years, OR = 1.582), oedema (OR = 1.844) and severity of flushing, burning, stinging and pruritus (severe, OR = 2.003, 1.981, 2.491, 2.249, respectively). There were no significant associations between WTP and most of the clinical factors. CONCLUSIONS The QoL was negatively affected and should not be ignored among rosacea patients in China. Patients aged 21-40y, having occupational requirement of appearance, with the disease duration less than 2 years, and suffering severe flushing and related symptoms were more likely to have severe or very severe limitation of QoL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1160.2-1161
Author(s):  
I. Fairushina ◽  
D. Abdulganieva ◽  
E. Kirillova ◽  
R. Abdrakipov

Background:Detection of subclinical enthesitis and synovitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is prevalent and ultrasound (US) examination is informative tool for it diagnosing. Aging positively affects degenerative changes.Objectives:To study relationship between US articular and entheseal findings with age in patients with PsA.Methods:57 patients were enrolled to study with fulfilled PsA criteria (CASPAR, 2009). Data collection: demographical, clinical (current psoriasis, axial involvement, enthesitis, dactylitis), US (synovitis count (by Grey Scale), Power Doppler(PD)+ synovitis), thickening and hypoechogenicity at enthesis, PD+ enthesitis, entheses with structural components); biological (high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR).US examination included 798 joints and 3078 entheses (bilateral shoulders, acromioclavicular joints, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles; entheses at the projection of these joints (total number - 54). US entheseal findings were fixed according to consensus-based US definition and scoring for enthesitis in spondyloarthritis and PsA (OMERACT US)1.Results:In all 57 patients: male - 25 (43.9%), mean age 43.4±10.3(SD) years (y), PsA duration was 7 (3;10) y, Ps duration 10 (8; 22) y; 53 (41.1%) had axial involvement, 42 (73.7%) dactylitis, 8 (14%) clinical enthesitis, and 56 (98.2 %) skin psoriasis, Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index score 6.4 (2;14.4), Disease Activity in PsA score 18.1 (10.2;26.1), hsCRP 10.1(2.4;21.4), ESR 20 (11.3;31.5).Synovitis count increased with age noticeably (r=0.508, p<0.01), and weak correlation of PD+ synovitis (r=0.262, p=0.049) and age was found. The entheseal thickening and hypoechogenicity and structural findings increased with age respectively (r=0.345, p=0.009; r=0.337, p=0.01). There was no correlation between PD+ enthesitis and age. The assosiation between PD+ enthesitis and blood biomarkers of inflammation (hs-CRP (r=0.364, p=0.008); ESR (p=0.358, p=0.008) was found.Conclusion:Our study found significant relationship between age and US synovitis. Association between age and US entheseal involvement was noted. Only PD+ enthesitis was not related with age in comparison with other US entheseal findings. The presence of PD US signal at enthesitis in association with increased inflammatory blood biomarkers can be evaluated as the sign of disease activity regardless of age and not as age-related lesion in PsA patients.References:[1]Balint PV, Terslev L, Aegerter P et al. Reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound definition and scoring for enthesitis in spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: an OMERACT US initiative. Ann Rheum Dis.;2018;77(12):1730-1735.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 508.2-509
Author(s):  
K. Maatallah ◽  
H. Boussaa ◽  
H. Riahi ◽  
H. Ferjani ◽  
M. Habechi ◽  
...  

Background:Foot disease is a common problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therapeutic decisions are often based on clinical examination (CE) alone, which can be adversely affected by factors such as deformity, obesity, and peripheral edema. Ultrasonography (US) has previously been shown to be more sensitive than CE for detecting synovitis and tenosynovitis in RA forefeet, but few data exist for the hindfoot and ankle.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare CE and US for the detection of hindfoot and ankle synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with established RA.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients with RA (ACR/EULAR 2010). Demographic data and disease parameters were collected. CE was performed by a rheumatologist for the presence or absence of tenderness, swelling, and mobility restriction of both ankles. The following tendons were examined for tenosynovitis: tibialis anterior (TA) and posterior (TP), fibularis longus (FL), and brevis (FB) (assessed together). In a second time, US examination of the tibiotalar, talonavicular, and subtalar joints and the same tendons as CE was performed by a blinded radiologist experienced in musculoskeletal imaging using a Philips HD11 device with a high-frequency linear transducer. The presence or absence of synovitis and tenosynovitis was recorded, and the composite synovitis score (power doppler / grayscale ultrasound (PDUS)) was measured for each joint. The US score of each patient was defined by the sum of the composite scores of the joints studied (0-30). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results:Sixty-two feet were examined in 31 RA patients (25 women and six men) with a mean age of 54.8±10.8 years old [32-70]. The mean disease duration was 8.5±7.2 years [1-37]. Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-Citrullinated Peptides Antibodies (ACPA) were positive in 61.3% and 83.8% of cases. The mean DAS28 ESR was 3.8±1.5 [0.6-7].Clinical examination of ankles revealed tenderness in 57.4% of cases, swelling in 38.8% of cases, and restriction in the range of motion in 11.1% of cases. TA tenosynovitis was noted in 14.8% of cases, TP tenosynovitis in 22.2% of cases, and FL and FB tenosynovitis in 31.5% of cases.US showed tibiotalar synovitis in 59.3% of cases, talonavicular synovitis in 64.8% of cases, and subtalar synovitis in 46.3% of cases. TA tenosynovitis was noted in 5.6% of cases, TP tenosynovitis in 22.2% of cases, and FB and FL tenosynovitis in 25% and 11.1% of cases respectively.An association was found between clinical tenderness and US synovitis of the tibiotalar joint (p=0.013) and the talonavicular joint (p=0.027). No association was noted between clinical swelling and US synovitis in these joints.No association was noted between clinical and US tenosynovitis of TA (p=0.279), TP (p=0.436), FB (p=0.495) and FL (p=0.315).Conclusion:Clinical examination of RA ankles may be challenging and needs to be coupled with US, which is more sensitive and accurate in the detection of synovitis and tenosynovitis.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1017.2-1018
Author(s):  
N. Kelly ◽  
E. Hawkins ◽  
H. O’leary ◽  
K. Quinn ◽  
G. Murphy ◽  
...  

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory condition that affects 0.5% of the adult population worldwide (1). Sedentary behavior (SB) is any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure of ≤1.5 METs (metabolic equivalent) and a sitting or reclining posture, e.g. computer use (2) and has a negative impact on health in the RA population (3). Sleep is an important health behavior, but sleep quality is an issue for people living with RA (4, 5). Poor sleep quality is associated with low levels of physical activity in RA (4) however the association between SB and sleep in people who have RA has not been examined previously.Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SB and sleep in people who have RA.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients were recruited from rheumatology clinics in a large acute public hospital serving a mix of urban and rural populations. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of RA by a rheumatologist according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria age ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years; ability to mobilize independently or aided by a stick; and to understand written and spoken English. Demographic data on age, gender, disease duration and medication were recorded. Pain and fatigue were measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. SB was measured using the ActivPAL4™ activity monitor, over a 7-day wear period. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe participant characteristics. Relationships between clinical characteristics and SB were examined using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and regression analyses.Results:N=76 participants enrolled in the study with valid data provided by N=72 participants. Mean age of participants was 61.5years (SD10.6) and the majority 63% (n = 47) were female. Participant mean disease duration was 17.8years (SD10.9). Mean SB time was 533.7 (SD100.1) minutes (8.9 hours per day/59.9% of waking hours). Mean sleep quality score was 7.2 (SD5.0) (Table 1). Correlation analysis and regression analysis found no significant correlation between sleep quality and SB variables. Regression analysis demonstrated positive statistical associations for SB time and body mass index (p-value=0.03846, R2 = 0.05143), SB time and pain VAS (p-value=0.009261, R2 = 0.07987), SB time and HADS (p-value = 0.009721, R2 = 0.08097) and SB time and HADSD (p-value = 0.01932, R2 = 0.0643).Conclusion:We found high levels of sedentary behavior and poor sleep quality in people who have RA, however no statistically significant relationship was found in this study. Future research should further explore the complex associations between sedentary behavior and sleep quality in people who have RA.References:[1]Carmona L, et al. Rheumatoid arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2010;24:733–745.[2]Anon. Letter to the editor: standardized use of the terms “sedentary” and “sedentary behaviours”. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab = Physiol Appl Nutr Metab 2012;37:540–542.[3]Fenton, S.A.M. et al. Sedentary behaviour is associated with increased long-term cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis independently of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 18, 131 (2017).[4]McKenna S, et al. Sleep and physical activity: a cross-sectional objective profile of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2018 May;38(5):845-853.[5]Grabovac, I., et al. 2018. Sleep quality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and associations with pain, disability, disease duration, and activity. Journal of clinical medicine, 7(10)336.Table 1.Sleep quality in people who have RASleep variableBed Time N(%) before 10pm13(18%) 10pm-12pm43 (60%) after 12pm16 (22%)Hours Sleep mean(SD)6.56 (1.54)Fall Asleep minutes mean(SD)33.3(27.7)Night Waking N(%)45(63%)Self-Rate Sleep mean(SD)2.74 (0.90)Hours Sleep mean(SD)6.56 (1.54)Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37
Author(s):  
Chhimi Wangmo ◽  
Nor Tshering Lepcha

Introduction: The aim of this hospital-based study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of pterygium among adult patients visiting the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department (OPD) in the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Thimphu. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in the ophthalmology OPD in the national referral hospital, Thimphu from 1st January, 2018 to 31st December, 2018, during which 1599 adult patients were selected through systematic random sampling. Results: The prevalence of pterygium was 12.8% (95% CI: 11.2 -14.5). Among 271 eyes with pterygium, the distribution of grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 pterygium was 34.7%, 56.1% and 9.2% respectively. Pterygium wasmost common in the age group of 36-55 years. The significant factors associated with pterygium were age group, occupation and usage of sunglasses. Individuals who were 36-55 years (adjusted OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.82-4.0) and >55 years (adjusted OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.34-3.50) had significantly higher risk than 18-35 years (p< 0.002), and not using sunglasses (adjusted OR 1.97, 95% CI1.17-3.33, p = 0.007) significantly increased the risk of pterygium. Indoor occupation, particularly being a student was protective against pterygium (OR 0.08, 95% CI 10.02-0.33, p< 0.001). Only 14.1% used sunglasses and among them, 27.6% were aware that sunglasses can protect from ultraviolet radiation. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of pterygium among adults aged 18 years and above. Those aged 36-55 years and an occupation involving outdoor activities were affected more. Encouraging usage of sunglasses may reduce pterygium


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (09) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Iqbal ◽  
Adnan Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Rafique Hingoro

Objectives: To determine incidence of steatosis in non-responder casesof chronic HCV. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary Care Sanatorium inMedicine Department of LIAQUAT University Hospital Hyderabad/Jamshoro. Period: 26-9-2011to 25 August 2012. Material & Methods: Total 144 non-responders cases of Hepatitis C wereintegrated. Both gender, age 18 to 50 yrs, chronic HCV non-responder cases as well as cases fitfor hepatic biopsy were integrated in study. Grading of Inflammation was carried out as indicatedby histopathological measures. Results: Mean age was 48.5 + 5.2years. Uppermost prevalenceof chronic HCV disease was 65(45.13%) at 41 to 50 years age interval whereas 42(29.1%) caseswere noticed in 31 to 40 yrs age group and 25(17.3%) cases were observed in 20 to 30 yearsof young age group. In this study hepatic steatosis occurrence was observed in 103 (71.5%)cases and these were categories as: grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, as (<33%) 45/103(43.68%), (33to 66%) 35/103(33.98%), (>66%) 23/103(22.33%) respectively. Conclusion: Hepatic steatosisis a important risk factor the cases of HCV to decreased response to antiviral therapy and forprogression toward fibrosis as observed in cases related to metabolic steatosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1903-1905
Author(s):  
Muhammad Azeem ◽  
Zubair Hassan Awaisi ◽  
Sohaib Hassan ◽  
Farhan Ahmad ◽  
Saadia Ata ◽  
...  

Background: The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is one of the important index to find out orthodontic need of patients. Aim: To find out the need of orthodontic treatment in patients visiting Nishter Institute of Dentistry, Multan (NID). Method: The index was applied using plaster models and intraoral examination. The measurements of various components of IOTN index was taken with the help of digital vernier calliper. Results: The results of various measurements of IOTN index was taken, recorded and analyzed statistically. Result of the present cross-sectional study showed that 65% patients were in grade 4 and 5 of IOTN. The analysis showed that 13% were in grade 4 of IOTN, 52% were in grade 5, 15% were in grade 3, 16% were in grade 2 and 4% patients was in grade 1 of IOTN index. Conclusion: No significant sex differences were shown for the need of orthodontic therapy in any category of IOTN. The need of orthodontic treatment is very high in patients of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Keywords: Treatment Need; IOTN; Orthodontics.


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