Doubtful swelling on clinical examination reflects synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the implication of doubtful joint swelling on clinical examination with respect to objective markers of synovitis by ultrasound (US) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Two independent observers performed a modified 28 swollen joint assessment (28SJC), in which joints could be graded as either definitely swollen, non-swollen, or doubtfully swollen. Two examiners blinded to clinical information performed US assessment of the hands. We performed descriptive statistics and models to analyse the links between clinical assessment and objective markers of inflammation.

Results

A total of 1204 joints were evaluated in 43 RA patients; 93% (40/43) of patients had ⩾1 joint with doubtful swelling (range: 0-4/patient). In

SUBMITTER: Mandl P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7309376 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature