Value Of Ultrasound Findings Research Articles

Importance of baseline musculoskeletal ultrasound findings in the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

To investigate the prognostic value of baseline musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) findings for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We retrospectively analyzed 138 patients with RA. Patients' first MSUS record was considered as the baseline expression. The subsequent MSUS changes that showed alleviation or progression were regarded as the cutoff point. Grayscale ultrasound (GSUS) synovitis, power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) synovitis, PDUS tenosynovitis (TS), and bone erosion were scored using a semi-quantitative scale. According to the ultrasound (US) results of the cutoff point, patients were divided into the alleviation group and the progression group. Laboratory results (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP], rheumatoid factor [RF], anticyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibody, and anti-keratin antibody [AKA]), disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28)-ESR, and US scores were compared between the two groups to analyze the prognostic value of US findings in RA. The alleviation group had higher levels of CRP, synovitis, TS, GSUS synovitis, PDUS synovitis, PDUS TS, and US total scores at baseline than the progression group (p < 0.05). The alleviation group received more aggressive treatment in their initial approach than the progression group (p < 0.05). The frequency of US examinations in the alleviation group was more than that in the progression group at follow-up (p < 0.05). Presence of baseline synovitis (OR 0.248, p = 0.006) and a higher GSUS synovitis score (OR 0.521, p = 0.006) were negatively correlated with RA progression. Presence of baseline synovitis and higher GSUS synovitis score do not always indicate worse prognosis of RA, which can be improved with aggressive treatment. Regular MSUS follow-up may have positive influences on prognosis. Key Points • The presence of synovitis at baseline and higher GSUS synovitis score do not necessarily imply poor prognosis of RA. • Prompt and powerful therapy and regular ultrasound follow-up can slow down the progression of RA and improve its prognosis. • Patients with slight and less arthritis at baseline might be ignored and get worse prognosis due to mild treatment strategies and irregular MSUS examination.

SAT0294 Monitoring disease activity in early psoriatic arthritis with ultrasound - comparison of clinical responders and nonresponders

BackgroundAssessment of disease activity in early psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a challenge because of the potential underestimation of the extent of inflammation by clinical examination and the absence of disease-specific...

THU0443 Differential diagnosis between rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral spondylarthropathies: Usefulness of shoulders ultrasonography

BackgroundThe differential diagnosis between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and peripheral spondylarthropathies (pSpA) could be difficult. A recent ultrasound study showed that ultrasonography (US) of hands might help the physician to differentiate...

SP0149 How to implement technical improvements in existing imaging modalities in clinical practice: Ultrasonography

The value of ultrasound in rheumatology is supported by a consistent body of evidence. The number of studies has progressively increased documenting the interest for this imaging tool especially in...

Decreased Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value of Ultrasound Findings in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Cholecystitis

Decreased Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value of Ultrasound Findings in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Cholecystitis

Differential diagnosis between rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis: the value of ultrasound findings at metacarpophalangeal joints level

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential of ultrasound (US) in the differential diagnosis between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) at metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints level.Methods18 RA patients and 20 PsA patients...