Responsiveness of clinical and ultrasound outcome measures in musculoskeletal systemic lupus erythematosus.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the responsiveness of clinical outcome measures in musculoskeletal SLE compared with US.

Methods

A prospective pilot study was conducted in consecutive SLE patients with inflammatory musculoskeletal symptoms. Clinical assessments including SLEDAI, BILAG, 28 tender and swollen joint counts, physician and patient visual analogue scales (VAS), and US were performed at 0, 2 and 4 weeks following 120 mg i.m. methylprednisolone acetate. Responsiveness was analysed using changes and effect sizes using Cohen's criteria.

Results

Twenty patients were recruited. Fifteen out of 20 had clinical swelling at baseline. All clinical and US parameters were significantly improved at week 4 (all P ⩽ 0.01). Musculoskeletal-BILAG score improved in 16/20. Musculoskeletal

SUBMITTER: Mahmoud K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6649792 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature