A randomised controlled trial of etanercept and methotrexate to induce remission in early inflammatory arthritis: the EMPIRE trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of etanercept (ETN) and methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy for remission induction in patients with early inflammatory arthritis.

METHODS

In a 78-week multicentre randomised placebo-controlled superiority trial, 110 DMARD-naïve patients with early clinical synovitis (≥1 tender and swollen joint, and within 3 months of diagnosis) and either rheumatoid factor, anticitrullinated protein antibodies or shared epitope positive were randomised 1:1 to receive MTX+ETN or MTX+placebo (PBO) for 52 weeks. Injections (ETN or PBO) were stopped in all patients at week 52. In those with no tender or swollen joints (NTSJ) for >26 weeks, injections were stopped early. If patients had NTSJ >12 weeks after stopping the injections, MTX was weaned. The primary endpoint was NTSJ at week 52.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was seen for the primary endpoint (NTSJ at week 52 (32.5% vs 28.1% [adjusted OR 1.32 (0.56 to 3.09), p=0.522]) in the MTX+ETN and MTX+PBO groups, respectively). The secondary endpoints did not differ between groups at week 52 or 78. Exploratory analyses showed a higher proportions of patients with DAS28-CRP<2.6 in the MTX+ETN group at week 2 (38.5% vs 9.2%, adjusted OR 8.87 (2.53 to 31.17), p=0.001) and week 12 (65.1% vs 43.8%, adjusted OR 2.49 (1.12 to 5.54), p=0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

In this group of patients with early inflammatory arthritis, almost a third had no tender, swollen joints after 1 year. MTX+ETN was not superior to MTX monotherapy in achieving this outcome. Clinical responses, however, including DAS28-CRP<2.6, were achieved earlier with MTX+ETN combination therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The EMPIRE trial is registered on the following trial registries: Eudract-2005-005467-29; ISRCTN 55428162 (http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN55428162/EMPIRE). The full trial protocol can be obtained from the corresponding author.

Updating the OMERACT filter: implications for imaging and soluble biomarkers

OBJECTIVE

The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Filter provides a framework for the validation of outcome measures for use in rheumatology clinical research. However, imaging and biochemical measures may face additional validation challenges because of their technical nature. The Imaging and Soluble Biomarker Session at OMERACT 11 aimed to provide a guide for the iterative development of an imaging or biochemical measurement instrument so it can be used in therapeutic assessment.

METHODS

A hierarchical structure was proposed, reflecting 3 dimensions needed for validating an imaging or biochemical measurement instrument: outcome domain(s), study setting, and performance of the instrument. Movement along the axes in any dimension reflects increasing validation. For a given test instrument, the 3-axis structure assesses the extent to which the instrument is a validated measure for the chosen domain, whether it assesses a patient-centered or disease-centered variable, and whether its technical performance is adequate in the context of its application. Some currently used imaging and soluble biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and knee osteoarthritis were then evaluated using the original OMERACT Filter and the newly proposed structure. Breakout groups critically reviewed the extent to which the candidate biomarkers complied with the proposed stepwise approach, as a way of examining the utility of the proposed 3-dimensional structure.

RESULTS

Although there was a broad acceptance of the value of the proposed structure in general, some areas for improvement were suggested including clarification of criteria for achieving a certain level of validation and how to deal with extension of the structure to areas beyond clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

General support was obtained for a proposed tri-axis structure to assess validation of imaging and soluble biomarkers; nevertheless, additional work is required to better evaluate its place within the OMERACT Filter 2.0.

Anatomical location of erosions at the metatarsophalangeal joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the anatomical location of erosions at the MTP joints in patients with RA using high-resolution 3T MRI.

METHODS

In 24 patients with RA, the more symptomatic forefoot was imaged using 3T MRI. T1-weighted, intermediate-weighted and T2-weighted fat-suppressed sequences were acquired through the MTP joints, together with three-dimensional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D VIBE) and T1-weighted fat-suppressed post-gadolinium contrast sequences. Images were scored for bone erosion in the distal and proximal part of the MTP joints using the RA MRI scoring (RAMRIS) system. The base of the proximal phalanx and the head of the metatarsal were divided into quadrants to determine the location of erosions (octants) in the dorsal-medial, dorsal-lateral, plantar-medial and plantar-lateral regions.

RESULTS

Seventeen females and seven males with a mean age of 55.5 years and disease duration of 10.6 years (range 0.6-36) were included. Eighteen patients were RF positive, the mean 44-joint DAS for CRP and ESR (DAS44CRP and DAS44ESR) were 2.5 (s.d. 0.8) and 2.6 (s.d. 0.9), respectively. In this cohort of patients with RA, irrespective of MTP joint location, octants located in the proximal part (metatarsal) of the joint and the plantar aspect of the joint were more eroded.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to report the anatomical location of erosions at the MTP joints in patients with RA. We noted that erosions were more commonly seen on the plantar aspect of the metatarsal head in RA, supporting the hypothesis of a relationship between biomechanical demands and bone changes in the forefoot.

The specificity of ultrasound-detected bone erosions for rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

Bone erosion is one of the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but also seen in other rheumatic diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the specificity of ultrasound (US)-detected bone erosions (including their size) in the classical 'target' joints for RA.

METHODS

Patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for RA, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis or gout in addition to healthy volunteers were included. The following areas were examined by US: distal radius and ulna, 2nd, 3rd and 5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP), 2nd and 3rd proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and 1st and 5th metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. All joints were scanned in four quadrants using both semiquantitative (0-3) and quantitative (erosion diameter) scoring systems.

RESULTS

310 subjects were recruited. The inter-reader and intrareader agreements were good to excellent. US-detected bone erosions were more frequent but not specific for RA (specificity 32.9% and sensitivity 91.4%). The presence of erosions with semiquantitative score ≥2 in four target joints (2nd, 5rd MCP, 5th MTP joints and distal ulna) was highly specific for RA (specificity 97.9% and sensitivity 41.4%). Size of erosion was found to be associated with RA. Erosions of any size in the 5th MTP joint were both specific and sensitive for RA (specificity 85.4% and sensitivity 68.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of US-detected erosions is not specific for RA. However, larger erosions in selected joints, especially 2nd and 5rd MCP, 5th MTP joints and distal ulna, were highly specific for and predictive of RA.

A brief history of ultrasound in rheumatology: where we are now

Ultrasound is gradually becoming established as an indispensable tool within the rheumatology clinical setting. Falling costs, improved educational opportunities, standardisation and developments in therapeutics have all led to the greater acceptability of the technique. This review will highlight how far ultrasound has come in a relatively short period of time by providing an overview of how it is being applied in rheumatology today.

Comparison of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of clinically defined knee enthesitis in spondyloarthritis

OBJECTIVES

Ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are increasingly used imaging techniques for visualising entheses, however few studies have made a direct comparison of each. This study aimed to compare each technique for the detection of enthesitis in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) related knee swelling in order to make a lesion by lesion comparison.

METHODS

Consecutive SpA patients with knee synovitis were recruited: each had clinical assessment for enthesitis at 8 sites in the involved knee joint followed by US and MRI examinations. Inflammatory and structural changes at tendon and ligament insertions were scored and a lesion by lesion comparison was made.

RESULTS

21 patients were recruited. Clinically defined involved knee joint enthesitis was evident in 18 of 21 (86%) patients in 61 of 168 (36%) evaluated sites. Clinical enthesitis was associated with more hypoechogenicity (16 vs. 4%, p=0.007) and thickening (16 vs. 6%, p=0.03) by US compared to non-tender sites. Considering all MRI findings only increased signal in the surrounding tissues was higher at tender sites (41 vs. 20%, p=0.01) and the insertions points themselves showed little abnormality. The positive agreements between individual lesions by both methods was very low (10-26%) with low kappa values (0.06-0.18) with no correlations between the MRI and US scores (r²= 0.059).

CONCLUSIONS

The difficulty in procuring 'gold standard' histological validation is synovial joints makes the assessment of enthesitis using clinical and current imaging protocols of limited utility for diagnostic purposes.

Remission induction comparing infliximab and high-dose intravenous steroid, followed by treat-to-target: a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial in new-onset, treatment-naive, rheumatoid arthritis (the IDEA study)

OBJECTIVES

In disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to compare the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) and infliximab (IFX) with MTX and intravenous corticosteroid for remission induction.

METHODS

In a 78-week multicentre randomised controlled trial, double-blinded to week 26, 112 treatment-naive RA patients (1987 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria) with disease activity score 44 (DAS44)>2.4 were randomised to MTX + IFX or MTX + single dose intravenous methylprednisolone 250 mg. A treat-to-target approach was used with treatment escalation if DAS44>2.4. In the IFX group, IFX was discontinued for sustained remission (DAS44<1.6 for 6 months). The primary outcome was change in modified total Sharp-van der Heijde score (mTSS) at week 50.

RESULTS

The mean changes in mTSS score at week 50 in the IFX and intravenous steroid groups were 1.20 units and 2.81 units, respectively (adjusted difference (95% CI) -1.45 (-3.35 to 0.45); p=0.132). Radiographic non-progression (mTSS<2.0) occurred in 81% vs 71% (OR 1.77 (0.56 to 5.61); p=0.328). DAS44 remission was achieved at week 50 in 49% and 36% (OR 2.13 (0.91 to 5.00); p=0.082), and at week 78 in 48% and 50% (OR 1.12 (0.47 to 2.68); p=0.792). Exploratory analyses suggested higher DAS28 remission at week 6 and less ultrasound synovitis at week 50 in the IFX group. Of the IFX group, 25% (14/55) achieved sustained remission and stopped IFX. No substantive differences in adverse events were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

In DMARD-naive early RA patients, initial therapy with MTX+high-dose intravenous steroid resulted in good disease control with little structural damage. MTX+IFX was not statistically superior to MTX+intravenous steroid when combined with a treat-to-target approach.

Value of ultrasound in rheumatologic diseases

The use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in rheumatology clinical practice has rapidly increased over the past decade. Ultrasound has enabled rheumatologists to diagnose, prognosticate and monitor disease outcome. Although international standardization remains a concern still, the use of ultrasound in rheumatology is expected to grow further as costs fall and the opportunity to train in the technique improves. We present a review of value of ultrasound, focusing on major applications of ultrasound in rheumatologic diseases.

Hydroxychloroquine effectiveness in reducing symptoms of hand osteoarthritis (HERO): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, causing significant joint pain and disability. It is already a major cause of healthcare expenditure and its incidence will further increase with the ageing population. Current treatments for OA have major limitations and new analgesic treatments are needed. Synovitis is prevalent in OA and is associated with pain. Hydroxychloroquine is used in routine practice for treating synovitis in inflammatory arthritides, such as rheumatoid arthritis. We propose that treating patients with symptomatic hand OA with hydroxychloroquine will be a practical and safe treatment to reduce synovitis and pain.

Methods/design

HERO is an investigator-initiated, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 252 subjects with symptomatic hand OA will be recruited across primary and secondary care sites in the UK and randomized on a 1:1 basis to active treatment or placebo for 12 months. Daily medication dose will range from 200 to 400 mg according to ideal body weight. The primary endpoint is change in average hand pain during the previous two weeks (measured on a numerical rating scale (NRS)) between baseline and six months. Secondary endpoints include other self-reported pain, function and quality-of-life measures and radiographic structural change at 12 months. A health economics analysis will also be performed. An ultrasound substudy will be conducted to examine baseline levels of synovitis. Linear and logistic regression will be used to compare changes between groups using univariable and multivariable modelling analyses. All analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis.

Discussion

The HERO trial is designed to examine whether hydroxychloroquine is an effective analgesic treatment for OA and whether it provides any long-term structural benefit. The ultrasound substudy will address whether baseline synovitis is a predictor of therapeutic response. This will potentially provide a new treatment for OA, which could be of particular use in the primary care setting.

Trial registration

ISRCTN91859104.

The discriminatory capacity of ultrasound in rheumatoid arthritis: active vs inactive, early vs advanced, and more

This review presents data about the discriminatory role of US in differentiating findings between healthy people and patients with RA and arthritides, comparisons between active and inactive changes in RA, as well as between early and advanced changes in RA as visualized with US. The theoretical basis of discriminatory capacity is sketchy and the few studies that provide evidence of its use when assessing RA patients with US are discussed. We also suggest directions for potential research areas.

The evolution of ultrasound in rheumatology

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a powerful tool not only for evaluating joint and related structures but also for assessing disease activity. Ultrasound in rheumatology has rapidly evolved and been incorporated into routine clinical practice over the past decade. Moreover, technological development of equipment has made it more accessible for rheumatologists. We present a review of advances in ultrasound in rheumatology, focusing on major chronological developments.

Which knee and probe position determines the final diagnosis of knee inflammation by ultrasound? Results from a European multicenter study

PURPOSE

To investigate which knee and probe position best identifies knee inflammation and to determine a cut-off level for abnormal synovial effusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

18 experienced sonographers (all rheumatologists) performed ultrasound examinations of the knee joint in patients with knee symptoms and in healthy controls. Each sonographer performed longitudinal suprapatellar ultrasound scans using 9 different configurations at each knee: Midline, parapatallar lateral and parapatellar medial from midline in neutral position (0°) with and without quadriceps muscle contraction and in 30° flexion of the knee. The presence of synovial effusion (SE), the effusion measured in millimeters and the presence of synovial hypertrophy (SH) was noted.

RESULTS

A total of 298 knees of 149 subjects (129 patients and 20 controls) were examined. The detection of SH is more sensitive and specific than the detection of SE, independently of the knee and probe position, for the final diagnosis of abnormality. The detection of both synovial hypertrophy and effusion in the knee in neutral position (0°) with quadriceps contraction and with the probe in the midline position, are the best independent predictors for knee abnormalities. Knee effusion > 3.2 mm measured with the probe in the lateral aspect of the knee is the best diagnostic characteristics for predicting pathological SE.

CONCLUSION

The best combination for detecting SH and SE is obtained by placing the probe in the midline position with the knee in 0° with quadriceps contraction. A cut-off value for pathological effusion may be obtained in the lateral aspect of the knee.

Towards a role of ultrasound in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

US is a powerful tool for the assessment of joint synovitis in children with JIA and has been shown to be more accurate than clinical examination in detecting synovial disease. Recent studies have documented the presence of US-detected synovial pathology in children with JIA in clinical remission. US assessment enables the differentiation of joint synovitis from tenosynovitis, may help detect enthesitis and is valuable for capturing cartilage damage and early bone erosions. Guidance to local injection therapy represents an important application of US in routine care. Although US has a great potential for diffusion among paediatric rheumatologists, several issues need to be addressed. In particular, a thorough knowledge of US anatomy of joints in growing children is necessary to interpret US findings in JIA patients. The present review examines the potential role of US in the assessment of joint disease in children with JIA.

Ultrasonographic assessment of nail in psoriatic disease shows a link between onychopathy and distal interphalangeal joint extensor tendon enthesopathy

OBJECTIVE

We compared ultrasonography (US) with the modified nail psoriasis severity index (mNAPSI) to investigate the nail plate, nail matrix and adjacent tendons in subjects with psoriatic nail disease and to test the hypothesis that nail involvement was specifically linked to extensor tendon enthesopathy.

METHODS

86 psoriatic patients (169 nails) and 20 healthy controls (HC) (40 nails) were assessed with both the mNAPSI and US. The thickness of the nail plate, nail matrix region and adjacent extensor tendon were assessed and compared with physical examination findings.

RESULTS

A good agreement between clinical and sonographic nail findings was noted (kappa value = 0.52, p < 0.0001). Entheseal thickening of the extensor tendon on US was more frequent in patients with clinical nail disease compared to patients without clinical nail disease in both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (38 vs. 16%, p = 0.03, and 47 vs. 19%, p = 0.008, respectively). Nail thickness, nail matrix and adjacent skin thickness were higher in psoriatic patients compared to HC.

CONCLUSION

US and clinical findings show good correlation for the assessment of the nail in psoriatic disease. The demonstration of extensor tendon enthesopathy in both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis supports the importance of enthesopathy in nail disease pathogenesis whether or not clinical arthritis is present.

Is there subclinical enthesitis in early psoriatic arthritis? A clinical comparison with power doppler ultrasound

OBJECTIVE

Enthesitis is a recognized feature of spondylarthritides (SpA), including psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Previously, ultrasound imaging has highlighted the presence of subclinical enthesitis in established SpA, but there are little data on ultrasound findings in early PsA. The aim of our study was to compare ultrasound and clinical examination (CE) for the detection of entheseal abnormalities in an early PsA cohort.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with new-onset PsA and 10 control subjects underwent CE of entheses for tenderness and swelling, as well as gray-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) ultrasound of a standard set of entheses. Bilateral elbow lateral epicondyles, Achilles tendons, and plantar fascia were assessed by both CE and ultrasound, the latter scored using a semiquantitative (SQ) scale. Inferior patellar tendons were assessed by ultrasound alone. A GS SQ score of >1 and/or a PD score of >0 was used to describe significant ultrasound entheseal abnormality.

RESULTS

A total of 24 (57.1%) of 42 patients in the PsA group and 0 (0%) of 10 controls had clinical evidence of at least 1 tender enthesis. In the PsA group, for sites assessed by both CE and ultrasound, 4% (7 of 177) of nontender entheses had a GS score >1 and/or a PD score >0 compared to 24% (9 of 37) of tender entheses. CE overestimated activity in 28 (13%) of 214 of entheses. All the nontender ultrasound-abnormal entheses were in the lower extremity.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of subclinical enthesitis in this early PsA cohort was low. CE may overestimate active enthesitis. The few subclinically inflamed entheses were in the lower extremity, where mechanical stress is likely to be more significant.

2012 Provisional classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica: a European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative

The objective of this study was to develop European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Candidate criteria were evaluated in a 6-month prospective cohort study of 125 patients with new-onset PMR and 169 non-PMR comparison subjects with conditions mimicking PMR. A scoring algorithm was developed based on morning stiffness >45 minutes (2 points), hip pain/limited range of motion (1 point), absence of rheumatoid factor and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibody (2 points), and absence of peripheral joint pain (1 point). A score ≥4 had 68% sensitivity and 78% specificity for discriminating all comparison subjects from PMR. The specificity was higher (88%) for discriminating shoulder conditions from PMR and lower (65%) for discriminating RA from PMR. Adding ultrasound, a score ≥5 had increased sensitivity to 66% and specificity to 81%. According to these provisional classification criteria, patients ≥50 years old presenting with bilateral shoulder pain, not better explained by an alternative pathology, can be classified as having PMR in the presence of morning stiffness >45 minutes, elevated C-reactive protein and/or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and new hip pain. These criteria are not meant for diagnostic purposes.

Reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound score for tenosynovitis in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To produce consensus-based scoring systems for ultrasound (US) tenosynovitis and to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of these scoring systems in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

We undertook a Delphi process on US-defined tenosynovitis and US scoring system of tenosynovitis in RA among 35 rheumatologists, experts in musculoskeletal US (MSUS), from 16 countries. Then, we assessed the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of US in scoring tenosynovitis on B-mode and with a power Doppler (PD) technique. Ten patients with RA with symptoms in the hands or feet were recruited. Ten rheumatologists expert in MSUS blindly, independently and consecutively scored for tenosynovitis in B-mode and PD mode three wrist extensor compartments, two finger flexor tendons and two ankle tendons of each patient in two rounds in a blinded fashion. Intraobserver reliability was assessed by Cohen's κ. Interobserver reliability was assessed by Light's κ. Weighted κ coefficients with absolute weighting were computed for B-mode and PD signal.

RESULTS

Four-grade semiquantitative scoring systems were agreed upon for scoring tenosynovitis in B-mode and for scoring pathological peritendinous Doppler signal within the synovial sheath. The intraobserver reliability for tenosynovitis scoring on B-mode and PD mode was good (κ value 0.72 for B-mode; κ value 0.78 for PD mode). Interobserver reliability assessment showed good κ values for PD tenosynovitis scoring (first round, 0.64; second round, 0.65) and moderate κ values for B-mode tenosynovitis scoring (first round, 0.47; second round, 0.45).

CONCLUSIONS

US appears to be a reproducible tool for evaluating and monitoring tenosynovitis in RA.

Ultrasonographic analysis in knee osteoarthritis: evaluation of inter-observer reliability

OBJECTIVES

Evidence for the validity of US in detecting structural joint pathology in OA is increasing. However, despite the rapidly emerging field of US in OA, few studies have reported on the inter-observer reliability of US to date. The objective of this study was to assess inter-observer reliability of ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of specifically defined features in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

METHODS

US was performed independently by two rheumatologists in 60 outpatients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria for knee OA. The acquisition protocol comprised medial meniscus protrusion, synovial hypertrophy, effusion, infrapatellar bursitis and cartilage thickness. Cartilage thickness and meniscal protrusion (if >3 mm) were measured on a continuous scale, all other variables were scored dichotomously.

RESULTS

Inter-observer agreement (κ-value) was moderate for protrusion of the medial meniscus (0.54), good for infrapatellar bursitis (0.66) and effusion (0.74), excellent for Bakers' cyst (0.85) and poor for the detection of synovial hypertrophy (-0.08). Inter-observer reliability was good for the measurement of medial meniscus protrusion (correlation coefficient 0.80, 95% limits of agreement -1.93 to 1.94 mm) and cartilage thickness (correlation coefficient 0.62 and 0.68, 95% limits of agreement -0.87 to 0.84 mm and -0.77 to 0.96 mm at the medial and lateral condyle respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated good reproducibility of US in the assessment of the majority of the investigated mechanical, inflammatory and degenerative features of knee OA, and contributes to exploring the use of US in knee OA as a useful tool in research as well as in clinical practice.

Magnetic resonance arthrography of lesser metatarsophalangeal joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: relationship to clinical, biomechanical, and radiographic variables

OBJECTIVE

Our exploratory study of painful lesser metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) primarily aimed to compare the clinical, biomechanical, and plain radiography findings with magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography findings. Our secondary aim was to compare standard unenhanced MR with MR arthrography in imaging the lesser MTP joints in RA.

METHODS

In 15 patients with RA, the more symptomatic forefoot was imaged using 3T MR imaging. Proton density fat-suppressed images were acquired through the lesser MTP joints prior to arthrography. Under ultrasound guidance, contrast agent was injected into 2 lesser MTP joints. T1-weighted fat-suppressed sequences were subsequently acquired. The MR images were read by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists and consensus was reached. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between abnormalities seen on MR arthrography and the clinical, biomechanical, and plain radiography findings.

RESULTS

MR arthrography demonstrated pathology at 18 of 28 lesser MTP joints (64%) examined in patients with RA. MR arthrography abnormalities were associated with RA disease duration, forefoot deformity, Larsen score, subluxation, and peak plantar pressure. Unenhanced MR had a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 90% for detecting pathology compared to MR arthrography.

CONCLUSION

Capsule and plantar plate pathology occurs in the painful forefoot of patients with RA and is associated with features of disease and deformity at the lesser MTP joints. Compared with MR arthrography, standard MR imaging was highly specific and moderately sensitive for diagnosing lesser MTP joint pathology in patients with RA.

The ability of synovitis to predict structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis: a comparative study between clinical examination and ultrasound

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate synovitis (clinical vs ultrasound (US)) to predict structural progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Patients with RA.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, 2-year follow-up.

DATA COLLECTED

Synovitis (32 joints (2 wrists, 10 metacarpophalangeal, 10 proximal interphalangeal, 10 metatarsophalangeal)) at baseline and after 4 months of therapy by clinical, US grey scale (GS-US) and power doppler (PD-US); x-rays at baseline and at year 2.

ANALYSIS

Measures of association (OR) were tested between structural deterioration and the presence of baseline synovitis, or its persistence, after 4 months of therapy using generalised estimating equation analysis.

RESULTS

Structural deterioration was observed in 9% of the 1888 evaluated joints in 59 patients. Baseline synovitis increased the risk of structural progression: OR=2.01 (1.36-2.98) p<0.001 versus 1.61 (1.06-2.45) p=0.026 versus 1.75 (1.18-2.58) p=0.005 for the clinical versus US-GS versus US-PD evaluation, respectively. In the joints with normal baseline examination (clinical or US), an increased probability for structural progression in the presence of synovitis for the other modality was also observed (OR=2.16 (1.16-4.02) p=0.015 and 3.50 (1.77-6.95) p<0.001 for US-GS and US-PD and 2.79 (1.35-5.76) p=0.002) for clinical examination. Persistent (vs disappearance) synovitis after 4 months of therapy was also predictive of subsequent structural progression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the validity of synovitis for predicting subsequent structural deterioration irrespective of the modality of examination of joints, but also suggests that both clinical and ultrasonographic examinations may be relevant to optimally evaluate the risk of subsequent structural deterioration.

After treat-to-target: can a targeted ultrasound initiative improve RA outcomes?

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), remission can be achieved with tight control of inflammation and early use of disease modifying agents. The importance of remission as an outcome has been recently highlighted by European League Against Rheumatism recommendations. However, remission when defined by clinical remission criteria (disease activity score, simplified disease activity index, etc) does not always equate to the complete absence of inflammation as measured by new sensitive imaging techniques such as ultrasound (US) . There is evidence that imaging synovitis is frequently found in these patients and associated with adverse clinical and functional outcomes. This article reviews the data regarding remission, ultrasound imaging and outcomes in patients with RA to provide the background to a consensus statement from an international collaboration of ultrasonographers and rheumatologists who have recently formed a research network--the Targeted Ultrasound Initiative (TUI) group. The statement proposes that targeting therapy to PD activity provides superior outcomes compared with treating to clinical targets alone and introduces the rationale for a new randomised trial using targeted ultrasound in RA.

Ultrasound evaluation of fluid in knee recesses at varying degrees of flexion

OBJECTIVE

Various methods are utilized in daily practice to obtain optimal information on effusion in the knee. Our aim is to investigate which scanning position provides the best information about synovial fluid in the knee by using ultrasound and to evaluate the magnitude of difference for measuring synovial fluid in 3 major recesses (suprapatellar, medial parapatellar, and lateral parapatellar) of the knee according to various degrees of flexion.

METHODS

Sonographers in 14 European centers documented bilateral knee joint ultrasound examinations on a total of 148 knee joints. The largest sagittal diameter of fluid was measured in scans corresponding to the 3 major recesses at different (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) degrees of flexion of the knee. The difference of measurement of effusion according to transducer position, knee position, and the interaction between them was investigated by analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test.

RESULTS

No correlation was noted between patient characteristics and ultrasound detection of effusion. The sagittal diameter of synovial fluid in all 3 recesses was greatest at 30° flexion. Analysis of variance and Tukey's test revealed that the suprapatellar scan and 30° flexion is the best combination for detecting effusion as confirmed by receiver operator characteristic curve analysis.

CONCLUSION

The suprapatellar scan of the knee in 30° flexion was the most sensitive position to detect fluid in knee joints. Sagittal diameter of fluid in all 3 recesses increased with the knee in the 30° flexed position as compared to the extended position.

2012 provisional classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica: a European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative

The objective of this study was to develop EULAR/ACR classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Candidate criteria were evaluated in a 6-month prospective cohort study of 125 patients with new onset PMR and 169 non-PMR comparison subjects with conditions mimicking PMR. A scoring algorithm was developed based on morning stiffness >45 minutes (2 points), hip pain/limited range of motion (1 point), absence of RF and/or ACPA (2 points), and absence of peripheral joint pain (1 point). A score ≥4 had 68% sensitivity and 78% specificity for discriminating all comparison subjects from PMR. The specificity was higher (88%) for discriminating shoulder conditions from PMR and lower (65%) for discriminating RA from PMR. Adding ultrasound, a score ≥5 had increased sensitivity to 66% and specificity to 81%. According to these provisional classification criteria, patients ≥50 years old presenting with bilateral shoulder pain, not better explained by an alternative pathology, can be classified as having PMR in the presence of morning stiffness>45 minutes, elevated CRP and/or ESR and new hip pain. These criteria are not meant for diagnostic purposes.