Ultrasonographic features of arthritis in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and its clinical significance

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the ultrasonographic features of arthritis in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and to analyze its correlation with clinical manifestations and disease activity. MethodsUltrasound (US) examinations were performed in a total of 1200 joints of 40 patients with pSS. A semi-quantitative grading method (0–3) for scoring synovial hyperplasia, PD synovitis, bone erosion, tenosynovitis was used. The clinical and laboratory data were collected, disease activity was assessed. The correlation between US lesions and disease activity assessment and clinical manifestations was analyzed. ResultsUS findings of musculoskeletal in patients with pSS mainly involved the small joints of the hands and wrists and the lesions were mild. The semi-quantitative score of musculoskeletal US was positively correlated with ESSPRI. The occurrence of musculoskeletal US lesions is associated with immunological abnormalities and inflammatory markers, and patients with high IgG, RF, and inflammatory markers are prone to abnormal US findings. ConclusionThe incidence of arthritis in patients with pSS is high, and musculoskeletal US has its characteristics. The musculoskeletal US semi-quantitative method can effectively evaluate arthritis in patients with pSS, and the US score of arthritis has a certain correlation with the overall disease activity. US can provide a reference for the diagnosis of arthritis and disease activity assessment in patients with pSS.