Gout Arthropathy Research Articles

Body Mass Index and the Risk of Rheumatic Disease: Linear and Nonlinear Mendelian Randomization Analyses.

Although the association between obesity and risk of rheumatic disease is well established, the precise causal relation has not been conclusively proven. Here, we estimate the causal effect of body mass index (BMI) on the risk of developing 5 different rheumatic diseases. Linear and nonlinear mendelian randomization (MR) were used to estimate the effect of BMI on risk of rheumatic disease, and sex-specific effects were identified. Analyses were performed in 361,952 participants from the UK Biobank cohort for 5 rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (n=8,381 cases), osteoarthritis (n=87,430), psoriatic arthropathy (n=933), gout (n=13,638), and inflammatory spondylitis (n=4,328). Using linear MR, we found that 1 SD increase in BMI increases the incidence rate for rheumatoid arthritis (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.52 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.36-1.69]), osteoarthritis (IRR 1.49 [95% CI 1.43-1.55]), psoriatic arthropathy (IRR 1.80 [95% CI 1.31-2.48]), gout (IRR 1.73 [95% CI 1.56-1.92]), and inflammatory spondylitis (IRR 1.34 [95% CI 1.14-1.57]) in all individuals. BMI was found to be a stronger risk factor in women compared to men for psoriatic arthropathy (P for sex interaction=3.3 × 10-4 ) and gout (P for sex interaction=4.3 × 10-3 ), and the effect on osteoarthritis was stronger in premenopausal compared to postmenopausal women (P = 1.8 × 10-3 ). Nonlinear effects of BMI were identified for osteoarthritis and gout in men, and for gout in women. The nonlinearity for gout was also more extreme in men compared to women (P = 0.03). Higher BMI causes an increased risk for rheumatic disease, an effect that is more pronounced in women for both gout and psoriatic arthropathy. The novel sex- and BMI-specific causal effects identified here provide further insight into rheumatic disease etiology and mark an important step toward personalized medicine.

Charcot Neuroarthropathy of the Foot and Ankle in the Acute Setting: An Illustrative Case Report and Targeted Review.

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a rare but serious sequela of diabetes and other diseases that cause peripheral neuropathy. It is most commonly characterized by degeneration of the foot and/or ankle joints leading to progressive deformity and altered weight-bearing. If left untreated, the deformities of CN lead to ulceration, infection, amputation, and even death. Because of the associated peripheral neuropathy and proprioception deficits that accompany CN, patients typically do not perceive the onset of joint destruction. Moreover, in the hands of the untrained clinician, the initial presentation of CN can easily be mistaken for infection, osteoarthritis, gout, or inflammatory arthropathy. Misdiagnosis can lead to the aforementioned serious sequelae of CN. Thus, an early accurate diagnosis and off-loading of the involved extremity, followed by prompt referral to a specialist trained in the care of CN are crucial to prevent the late-term sequelae of the disease. The purpose of this article was to create an opportunity for enhanced understanding between orthopedic surgeons and emergency physicians, to improve patient care through the optimization of diagnosis and early management of CN in the emergent setting.

The role of dual-energy computed tomography in the diagnosis of gout and other crystalline arthropathies: A review

The importance of dual-energy computed tomography in the diagnosis of gout, the principles of dual-energy computed tomography, the accuracy of the methodology, and the types of artifacts are discussed in this study. The possible dependence of the presence of deposits of sodium monourate on other clinical data and the role of dual-energy computed tomography in the differential diagnosis of other crystalline arthropathies are considered.
 The dual-energy computed tomography has several advantages, including noninvasiveness, speed of execution, and a significant reduction in the risk of iatrogenic consequences compared with diagnostic arthrocentesis, which is the gold standard in diagnosing gout. Dual-energy computed tomography can accomplish gout detection, treatment, and differential diagnosis.

Management of high-grade hallux rigidus: a narrative review of the literature.

Hallux rigidus is a disease characterized by an osteoarthritic degeneration of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Aetiology of hallux rigidus is not clear in the literature. History of trauma is considered one of the most common causes of unilateral hallux rigidus. Also, repetitive microtraumas or inflammatory and metabolic causes such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative arthropathy can cause degeneration of the joint. The aim of this literature narrative overview is to summarize and expose the great amount of management concepts and information, including the well-codified main operative procedures to treat of hallux rigidus. This may provide current information for med-school students, researchers and physicians. A comprehensive literature search using PubMed database has been performed. The management for hallux rigidus can involve a variety of therapeutic interventions, conservative or operative. High-grade hallux rigidus represents a complex disease characterized by several clinical and pathological findings, and to achieve optimal results, surgical treatment should be chosen between several surgical techniques depending on the degree of arthritis and other different clinical conditions.

Clinical-therapeutic and recuperatory features in a patient with pluripatology: ischemic stroke, ischemic heart disease (sechelar myocardial infarction), chronic kidney disease and monstrous gout

Introduction: gout is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy produced by depositing crystals of monosodium uric acid (in joints and tissues) following an anomaly (genetics or acquired) in the purine metabolism (1,2). The manifestations of the disease are: hyperuricemia, recurrent episodes of acute arthritis, the presence of tophi, chronic kidney disease, urinary lithiasis(2). Stroke represents„ the rapid development of localized or global clinical signs of cerebral dysfunction with symptoms exceeding 24 hours, leading to death, without any other cause, except for vascular origin”. (3) Materials and Methods: with the permission of the THEBA Ethics Commission ( no.17464/14.06.2019), we will present the clinical case of a 57-year-old patient admitted to the TEHBA Neuromuscular Recovery Clinic presenting a right hemiplegia and mixed aphasia after an ischemic stroke in the territory of the left middle cerebral artery, on the background of complex polypathology (monstrous gout arthropathy, chronic smoking, arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction with coronary artery stenosis, chronic kidney disease). Results: the patient did in our clinic a neuro-muscular recovery treatment, adapted to his needs,which consisted of kinetotherapy and speech therapy and received appropriate medical treatment. The clinical evolution of the patient was slowly favorable, with improvement in language disorders and motor control of paralyzed limbs. Conclusions: the case of this patient has several particularities. This is a patient with a vicious life style, with a severe arthropathy, with severe cardio-vascular sufferers, hospitalized for recovering neuro-muscular deficits after an ischemic stroke. Despite limited prognosis, the patient has improved ADL and the quality of life after recovery treatment. Key words: stroke, hemiplegia, poly-pathologic, ischemic,

Dual-energy CT in the differentiation of crystal depositions of the wrist: does it have added value?

To evaluate the ability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to improve diagnostic discrimination between gout and other crystal arthropathies such as calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) of the wrist in a clinical patient population. This retrospective case-control study included 29 patients with either gout (case group; n = 9) or CPPD (control group; n = 20) who underwent DECT of the wrist for clinically suspected crystal arthropathy. Color-coded urate and enhanced calcium as well as virtual 120 kVe blended images were reconstructed from the DECT datasets. Two independent and blinded readers evaluated each reconstructed dataset for the presence of depositions in 17 predefined regions. Additionally, a global diagnosis was made first for 120 kVe images only, based solely on morphologic criteria, and subsequently for all reconstructed images. Sensitivity for the global diagnosis of gout was 1.0 (95% CI 0.63-1) for both DECT and 120 kVe images with specificities of 0.70 (95% CI 0.46-0.87) for DECT and 0.80 (95% CI 0.56-0.93) for 120 kVe images. Color-coded DECT images did not detect more depositions than monochrome standard CT images. Discrimination of crystal arthropathies of the wrist is limited using DECT and primarily relying on color-coded images. Evaluation of morphologic criteria on standard CT images is essential for accurate diagnosis.

Top-Ten Tips for Dual-Energy CT in MSK Radiology.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has the potential to detect musculoskeletal pathology with greater sensitivity than conventional CT alone at no additional radiation dose to the patient. It therefore has the potential to reduce the need for further diagnostic imaging or procedures (e.g., joint aspirations in the case of gout or magnetic resonance imaging to confirm undisplaced fractures).DECT is a well-established technique for the detection of gout arthropathy. Multiple newer applications have shown clinical potential including bone marrow edema detection and metal artifact reduction. Collagen analysis, bone marrow lesion detection, and iodine mapping in CT arthrography are areas of possible future application and development.This article outlines 10 tips on the use of DECT imaging of the musculoskeletal system, explaining the technique and indications with practical suggestions to help guide the radiologist.

The application of dual-energy computed tomography in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders: a review of current concepts and applications.

With the assistance of innovations in scanner engineering and software design, dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is an advanced imaging method that has been developed over the last decade. With its unique ability to differentiate materials by their atomic number, DECT has opened new perspectives in imaging. The principal advantages of DECT over conventional CT in the musculoskeletal setting relate to the additional information provided regarding tissue composition, artifact reduction and image optimization. In musculoskeletal imaging, uric acid material decomposition images can help identify articular deposition of uric acid crystals (in addition to the detection of uric acid renal stones). Material separation can also help detect bone marrow edema on CT in the case of trauma, algoneurodystrophy, inflammation (osteitis) or malignant bone marrow infiltrates, such as metastases. DECT also offers means to reduce the radiation exposure of patients by replacing multiphase exams with more specific single acquisitions. The first part of this article reviews the basic principles and technical aspects of DECT. The second part focuses on applications of DECT to musculoskeletal imaging including that of gout and other crystal-induced arthropathies, virtual non-calcium images for the study of bone marrow lesions, the study of collagenous structures, as well as the detection of hemosiderin and metal particles.

Effectiveness and safety of anakinra in gout patients with stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease or kidney transplantation: A multicentre, retrospective study.

Interleukin (IL)-1β blocking is effective for the treatment of gout flares and is recommended in patients with contraindications to the standard of care, such as stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, efficacy and safety data regarding these agents are lacking in this population. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of anakinra for the treatment of gout flares in patients with stage 4-5 CKD or renal transplantation. This retrospective study encompassing 3 academic centres included consecutive patients with stage 4-5 CKD or kidney transplantation who received anakinra for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis and completed at least one follow-up visit. Efficacy, occurrence of infection, and renal function variations were recorded. Of the 31 included patients (24 men, mean age 72±11 years), 25 were non-transplant subjects with stage 4-5 CKD (mean estimated glomerular filtration rate, MDRD formula (eGFR) 22.7±6.5mL/min/1.73m2), and six had undergone kidney transplantation (mean eGFR 41.5±22.8mL/min/1.73m2). Median gout duration was 3.5 years, and the mean serum urate (SUA) level was 8.7mg/dL. Twenty-one (68%) patients had tophi, and 21 had gout arthropathy. Anakinra was efficacious in all patients (final VAS 10 and CRP level 10mg/L). Ten patients (32%) were anakinra dependent (i.e., required prolonged treatment with anakinra). A serious infection was recorded in only one patient, occurring 3 months after starting anakinra. No significant variation in renal function was observed. Anakinra may be a safe therapeutic option for gout patients with advanced CKD. Further randomized controlled studies are required to confirm our results.

Advanced Imaging in the Diagnosis of Gout and Other Crystal Arthropathies.

In recent years significant advances have been made in imaging techniques. Dual-energy computed tomography has revolutionized the ability to detect and quantify gout. The key ultrasound features of gout have been defined. Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent modality for demonstrating the extent and severity of crystal arthropathies, but the findings may be nonspecific. This article summarizes the use of advanced imaging techniques in the diagnosis and assessment of gout and other crystal arthropathies.

Complication of an Elbow Prosthesis: Screw Breakage of the Ulnar cap and Gout Arthropathy

Complication of an Elbow Prosthesis: Screw Breakage of the Ulnar cap and Gout Arthropathy

Imaging in Gout and Other Crystal-Related Arthropathies.

In this article, the authors consider the manifestations of intraarticular and periarticular crystal deposits. Most cases of crystal deposits are asymptomatic and represent incidental findings at imaging. In symptomatic arthropathies, imaging can play an important role in the diagnosis and assessment of disease progression and the extent of crystal deposits. Conventional radiography is the most common imaging modality. But ultrasound, conventional computerized tomography (CT), dual-energy CT, and MRI play an increasing role. The authors review typical radiographic features of crystal-induced arthropathies and findings that help to differentiate them. The authors also emphasize the increasing role of complementary imaging techniques.

Increasing Public Health Burden of Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions and Comorbidity: Results From a Statewide Health Surveillance System, 2007-2012.

To describe the burden and changing trends of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORCs) on health care and public health by estimating annual rates of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and mortality, in addition to medical charges related to AORCs and their comorbidities in Nebraska from 2007 to 2012. Nebraska state ED discharge, hospital discharge, and death certificate data from 2007 to 2012 were used to estimate disease burden. AORCs were defined using the standard International Classification of Diseases specified by the National Arthritis Data Workgroup. AORC conditions were defined by the presence of a diagnostic code anywhere on the corresponding record. To identify potential disparities in AORC burden, health care utilization was examined separately across 4 urban/rural categories. Rates of annual ED visits (34% increase), hospitalizations (22% increase) and mean charges (an approximate 30% to 70% increase) from visits involving AORCs increased significantly from 2007 to 2012. Annual rates of ED visits and hospitalizations involving AORCs were lower in urban metropolitan areas compared to other urban/rural designations. AORC-related mortality was highest in small rural communities. Disease profiles revealed that ED visits and hospitalizations involving gout and other crystal arthropathies increased disproportionately compared to other AORCs. The public health burden of AORCs increased significantly over the 6-year period studied, posing a growing challenge for patients, families, and the public health system, and AORCs appear to disproportionately impact nonmetropolitan and other rural communities.

Dual-Energy CT: Basic Principles, Technical Approaches, and Applications in Musculoskeletal Imaging (Part 1).

In recent years, technological advances have allowed manufacturers to implement dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) on clinical scanners. With its unique ability to differentiate basis materials by their atomic number, DECT has opened new perspectives in imaging. DECT has been used successfully in musculoskeletal imaging with applications ranging from detection, characterization, and quantification of crystal and iron deposits; to simulation of noncalcium (improving the visualization of bone marrow lesions) or noniodine images. Furthermore, the data acquired with DECT can be postprocessed to generate monoenergetic images of varying kiloelectron volts, providing new methods for image contrast optimization as well as metal artifact reduction. The first part of this article reviews the basic principles and technical aspects of DECT including radiation dose considerations. The second part focuses on applications of DECT to musculoskeletal imaging including gout and other crystal-induced arthropathies, virtual noncalcium images for the study of bone marrow lesions, the study of collagenous structures, applications in computed tomography arthrography, as well as the detection of hemosiderin and metal particles.

Dual-Energy CT: Basic Principles, Technical Approaches, and Applications in Musculoskeletal Imaging (Part 2).

In recent years, technological advances have allowed manufacturers to implement dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) on clinical scanners. With its unique ability to differentiate basis materials by their atomic number, DECT has opened new perspectives in imaging. DECT has been successfully used in musculoskeletal imaging with applications ranging from detection, characterization, and quantification of crystal and iron deposits, to simulation of noncalcium (improving the visualization of bone marrow lesions) or noniodine images. Furthermore, the data acquired with DECT can be postprocessed to generate monoenergetic images of varying kiloelectron volts, providing new methods for image contrast optimization as well as metal artifact reduction. The first part of this article reviews the basic principles and technical aspects of DECT including radiation dose considerations. The second part focuses on applications of DECT to musculoskeletal imaging including gout and other crystal-induced arthropathies, virtual noncalcium images for the study of bone marrow lesions, the study of collagenous structures, applications in computed tomography arthrography, as well as the detection of hemosiderin and metal particles.

Hospital burden of gout, pseudogout and other crystal arthropathies in France

ObjectiveTo describe the hospital burden of microcrystal arthropathies in France. MethodsData were extracted from the 2009–2011 French hospital national databases. We selected all hospital stays for microcrystal arthropathies (gout, chondrocalcinosis, other) encoded as primary or secondary diagnoses in patients older than 18. A descriptive analysis focused on number of patients and hospital stays, age, gender, comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome, and hospital costs based on 2012 public-sector costs. Results132,275 hospitalizations involving 109,734 patients were related to microcrystal arthropathies encoded as primary or secondary diagnosis (61% related to gout, 34% to chondrocalcinosis, and 5% to other microcrystal arthropathies). 23,362 hospitalizations involving 25,105 patients were due to microcrystal diseases, encoded as primary diagnosis, (48% related to gout, 43% to chondrocalcinosis, and 9% to other microcrystal arthropathies). In this population, patients with chondrocalcinosis were older (mean 75.6±13.5 versus 71±16 years for other microcrystal arthropathies and 69.7±14.7 for gout). Men represented 70% of the patients with gout, 39% of those with chondrocalcinosis and 52% of the patients with other microcrystal arthropathies. Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiac ischemia, and renal failure were more frequent in patients with gout than other patients. The hospital costs for microcrystal arthropathies encoded as primary diagnosis were 82.3 million Euros, 45% related to gout, 45% to chondrocalcinosis and 11% to other microcrystals. ConclusionIn terms of hospital costs, gout and chondrocalcinosis represented the main part of the economic burden of crystal arthropathies and a high level of diseases belonging to the metabolic syndrome. Specific education programs favouring accurate microcrystal diagnosis and adherence to treatment could diminish this hospital economic burden.

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

SAT0513 Hospital Burden of Gout, Pseudogout and Other Crystal Arthropathies in France from 2009 to 2011

ObjectivesTo describe hospital economic burden of microcrystal arthropathies in France from 2010 to 2012 using French Hospital National DatabaseMethodsData were extracted from the French Hospital National Database. We selected all...

Imaging Characteristics of Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystal Deposition Disease

An 88-yr-old woman without history of gout or other arthropathy presented to our physiatry clinic because of acute onset of painful swelling in her right wrist with local erythema, heat, and tenderness (Fig. 1A). Serum C-reactive protein level was 2.49 mg/dl, but leukocyte count, uric acid, and electrolytes levels were within normal limits. A plain film radiograph revealed chondrocalcinosis over her right radiocarpal joint and triangular fibrocartilage (Fig. 1B). Ultrasonography showed increased vascularity (Fig. 1C) and multiple hyperechoic deposits with punctate and amorphous patterns within the right triangular fibrocartilage (Fig. 1D). A small amount of clear and yellowish synovial fluid was aspirated under ultrasound guidance. Rhomboid-shaped, positively birefringent crystals were visualized under compensated polarized light microscopy of the aspirated synovial fluid (Fig. 1E). Therefore, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease was confirmed. After being administered oral colchicine and nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs for 7 days, her right wrist pain gradually subsided. A physiatry clinic follow-up visit at 8 mos showed no recurrence of symptoms or signs.FIGURE 1: A photograph of the patient’s hands, demonstrating right wrist erythema and swelling (A). Chondrocalcinosis over right radiocarpal joint (arrow) and triangular fibrocartilage (arrowhead) in plain film (B). Ultrasonography demonstrating increased vascularity and multiple hyperechoic deposits with punctate and amorphous patterns within the right triangular fibrocartilage (C and D) (arrowheads; Tr, triquetrum; U, ulna). Positively birefringent CPPD crystals under compensated polarized light microscopy (E). CPPD, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate.CPPD crystal deposition disease is the third most common inflammatory arthritis, characterized by acute or chronic inflammation caused by deposit of CPPD crystals in articular cartilage and periarticular soft tissues, mostly in knees and wrists.1,2 The character of rapid-onset arthritis is highly suggestive of crystal-induced arthropathy but is not specific for CPPD.1 Although the definitive diagnosis of CPPD crystal deposition disease is based on identification of positively birefringent CPPD crystals in the synovial fluid or biopsied tissue,1 several imaging techniques have proven to be helpful in delineating this clinically perplexing condition.1–4 In this case, the presence of radiographic chondrocalcinosis, coupled with advanced age, alerts the clinician to consider the possibility of CPPD crystal deposition disease.1,3 High-resolution ultrasonography provides further confirmation by identifying the sparkling reflectivity of CPPD crystal aggregates.2,4 Sonographic features of CPPD deposits depend on the amount and distribution, varying from homogeneously punctate pattern or sharply defined hyperechoic bands within the articular cartilage or floating in synovial fluid to rounded or amorphous-shaped hyperechoic areas in fibrocatilage.2,4The shape and location of CPPD crystal aggregates are also helpful in distinguishing from other crystal arthropathies,3 particularly gout, in which monosodium urate crystals tend to result in hyperechoic enhancement on the superficial margin of hyaline artilage.4 The imaging characteristics shown in this case are typical for CPPD crystal deposition disease and are of great value in establishing the final diagnosis. Advances in imaging techniques, especially high-resolution ultrasonography, may greatly improve the diagnosis of CPPD crystal deposition disease in physiatry practice.

OP0074 Clinical study: Frequency and manifestations of joint disease in HIV-infected patients

BackgroundThe frequency of joint manifestation in HIV-infected patients is unknown. Some reports suggest that musculoskeletal pain in HIV-infected patients is substantially increased with a prevalence of up to 50% of...