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Meikle B, Simons M, Mahoney T, Reddan T, Dai B, Kimble RM, Tyack Z. Ultrasound measurement of traumatic scar and skin thickness: a scoping review of evidence across the translational pipeline of research-to-practice. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078361. [PMID: 38594186 PMCID: PMC11015304 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the ultrasound methods used in the literature to measure traumatic scar thickness, and map gaps in the translation of these methods using evidence across the research-to-practice pipeline. DESIGN Scoping review. DATA SOURCES Electronic database searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Web of Science. Grey literature searches were conducted in Google. Searches were conducted from inception (date last searched 27 May 2022). DATA EXTRACTION Records using brightness mode (B-mode) ultrasound to measure scar and skin thickness across the research-to-practice pipeline of evidence were included. Data were extracted from included records pertaining to: methods used; reliability and measurement error; clinical, health service, implementation and feasibility outcomes; factors influencing measurement methods; strengths and limitations; and use of measurement guidelines and/or frameworks. RESULTS Of the 9309 records identified, 118 were analysed (n=82 articles, n=36 abstracts) encompassing 5213 participants. Reporting of methods used was poor. B-mode, including high-frequency (ie, >20 MHz) ultrasound was the most common type of ultrasound used (n=72 records; 61% of records), and measurement of the combined epidermal and dermal thickness (n=28; 24%) was more commonly measured than the epidermis or dermis alone (n=7, 6%). Reliability of ultrasound measurement was poorly reported (n=14; 12%). The scar characteristics most commonly reported to be measured were epidermal oedema, dermal fibrosis and hair follicle density. Most records analysed (n=115; 97%) pertained to the early stages of the research-to-practice pipeline, as part of research initiatives. CONCLUSIONS The lack of evaluation of measurement initiatives in routine clinical practice was identified as an evidence gap. Diverse methods used in the literature identified the need for greater standardisation of ultrasound thickness measurements. Findings have been used to develop nine methodological considerations for practitioners to guide methods and reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Meikle
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Children's Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Megan Simons
- Children's Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Occupational Therapy, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Pegg Leditschke Children's Burns Centre, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tamsin Mahoney
- Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS), Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tristan Reddan
- Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bryan Dai
- The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roy M Kimble
- Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Children's Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Pegg Leditschke Children's Burns Centre, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zephanie Tyack
- Children's Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Centre for Health Service Innovation (AusHI), Centre for Healthcare Transformation, and School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Santiago T, Benfaremo D, Moroncini G. Skin ultrasound in systemic sclerosis: past, present and exciting future. Rheumatol Adv Pract 2024; 8:rkae012. [PMID: 38333883 PMCID: PMC10850936 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Santiago
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Devis Benfaremo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Marche University Hospital, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gianluca Moroncini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Marche University Hospital, Ancona, Italy
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Lepri G, Hughes M, Allanore Y, Denton CP, Furst DE, Wang Y, Santiago T, Galetti I, Del Galdo F, Khanna D, Matucci-Cerinic M. The role of skin ultrasound in systemic sclerosis: looking below the surface to understand disease evolution. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2023; 5:e422-e425. [PMID: 38251553 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00100-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Skin ultrasound has shown promising results in the evaluation of skin involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis, as substantiated by a recent systematic literature review from the World Scleroderma Foundation Skin Ultrasound Working Group. In this Viewpoint, we will discuss the role of ultrasound in evaluating skin involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis, particularly the possibility of using this technique to detect an early subclinical skin involvement from the very early phase, suggesting its possible use in both diagnosis and disease follow-up. To detect subclinical skin involvement, it is essential to understand the difference between the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis and that of healthy controls, including defining exactly which structures are affected by the disease and which are spared. The potential of this non-invasive technique might suggest its future role in both clinical practice and clinical trials, possibly replacing invasive and painful procedures such as skin biopsies and promoting patient retention in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Lepri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine and Division of Rheumatology, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Michael Hughes
- Department of Rheumatology, Salford Care Organisation, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK; Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester & Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Yannick Allanore
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Paris, Cochin Hospital, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel E Furst
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine and Division of Rheumatology, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Yukai Wang
- Rheumatology and Immunology Department, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, China
| | - Tânia Santiago
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital and University Centre of Coimbra EPE; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ilaria Galetti
- Federation of European Scleroderma Associations, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds, UK
| | - Dinesh Khanna
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine and Division of Rheumatology, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is a rare and complex autoimmune connective-tissue disease. Once considered an untreatable and unpredictable condition, research advancements have improved our understanding of its disease pathogenesis and clinical phenotypes and expanded our treatment armamentarium. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential, while ongoing efforts to risk stratify patients have a central role in predicting both organ involvement and disease progression. A holistic approach is required when choosing the optimal therapeutic strategy, balancing the side-effect profile with efficacy and tailoring the treatment according to the goals of care of the patient. This Seminar reviews the multiple clinical dimensions of systemic sclerosis, beginning at a precursor very early stage of disease, with a focus on timely early detection of organ involvement. This Seminar also summarises management considerations according to the pathological hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (eg, inflammation, fibrosis, and vasculopathy) and highlights unmet needs and opportunities for future research and discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Volkmann
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University (Hospital), Ghent, Belgium; Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Centre, Ghent, Belgium
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Santiago T, Santos EJF, Luis M, Gaspar C, Lima J, Caramelo F, da Silva JAP. Normal percentile reference curves for skin ultrasound thickness and stiffness at Rodnan sites. RMD Open 2022; 8:e002577. [PMID: 36323485 PMCID: PMC9639157 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our primary objective was to establish preliminary normal reference curves for ultrasound-dermal thickness and skin stiffness in the 17 Rodnan skin sites, considering the effect of gender and age on these measures. As an exploratory objective, we investigated the effect of body mass index and the menopause on skin ultrasound measures. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 140 healthy volunteers, aged 20-79 years. Recruitment was stratified by gender and age (10-year categories). Ultrasound-dermal thickness and skin stiffness were assessed by high-frequency ultrasound and shear-wave elastography, respectively, at the 17 Rodnan skin sites. Outcomes were evaluated through a mixed linear model, univariate and multivariate regressions. Normal reference curves were derived for both ultrasound measures in each skin site. An online calculator of the percentiles of skin ultrasound measures was developed. RESULTS Ultrasound-dermal thickness and stiffness measures were higher in men than women in all Rodnan skin sites (except in chest for ultrasound-dermal thickness). Age had also a significant impact in both ultrasound measures, but only in some skin sites. Gender and age percentile curves (97.5th, 95th, 75th, 50th, 25th, 5th, 2.5th) were plotted for each of the measures in each skin site. CONCLUSIONS Gender and age are strongly associated with skin ultrasound parameters, imposing the need for gender-specific and age-specific reference values. Normal reference percentile curves are provided as a basis for future cooperative work to strengthen its evidence basis, representativeness and refinement regarding potentially influential factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Santiago
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Mariana Luis
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Gaspar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Lima
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Jose Antonio Pereira da Silva
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Santiago T, Santos EJF, Ruaro B, Lepri G, Green L, Wildt M, Watanabe S, Lescoat A, Hesselstrand R, Del Galdo F, Pauling JD, Reeve LJ, D'Agostino MA, Matucci-Cerinic M, Iagnocco A, da Silva JAP. Recommendations for the execution and reporting of skin ultrasound in systemic sclerosis: an international collaboration under the WSF skin ultrasound group. RMD Open 2022; 8:rmdopen-2022-002371. [PMID: 35850975 PMCID: PMC9297224 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Ultrasound is a promising tool to foster much-needed improvement of skin assessment in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Our aim was to develop evidence and expert opinion-based recommendations to promote the standardisation and harmonisation of technical execution and reporting of skin ultrasound studies in SSc. Methods A multidisciplinary task force of 16 members from five European countries and Japan was convened under the auspices of World Scleroderma Foundation. First, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed. Then, each member proposed and formulated items to the overarching principles, recommendations and research agenda. Two rounds of mails exchange for consensus as well as an on-line meeting were performed to debate and refine the proposals. Two Delphi rounds of voting resulted in the final recommendations. Levels of evidence and strengths of recommendations were assigned, and task force members voted anonymously on the level of agreement with each of the items. Results Five overarching principles and seven recommendations were developed, based on an SLR and expert opinion, through consensus procedures. The overarching principles highlight the promising role of skin ultrasound in SSc assessment, the need for standardisation of technical aspects, sufficient training and adequate equipment. The recommendations provide standards for the execution and reporting of skin ultrasound in SSc. The research agenda includes the need for more research into unmet needs according to Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Algorithm requirements. Conclusion These are the first recommendations providing guidance on the execution and reporting of skin ultrasound in SSc patients, aiming at improving the interpretability, reliability and generalisability of skin ultrasound, thus consolidating its role in research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Santiago
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology, University Hospital of Cattinara, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gemma Lepri
- Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Lorraine Green
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine Section of Musculoskeletal Disease, Leeds, UK
| | - Marie Wildt
- Department of Rheumatology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Shinji Watanabe
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alain Lescoat
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | | | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Scleroderma Programme, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - John D Pauling
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust, Bath, UK.,Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | | | - Maria Antonieta D'Agostino
- Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Annamaria Iagnocco
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, Tourin, Italy
| | - Jose Antonio Pereira da Silva
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal.,Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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