Lack of beneficial effects of low-dose radiation therapy on hand osteoarthritis symptoms and inflammation: a randomised, blinded, sham-controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) is widely used as treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) in some countries, while relatively unknown in others. Systematic literature review displayed a lack of high-level evidence for beneficial effects in clinical practice. The aim was to assess the efficacy of LDRT on symptoms and inflammation in hand OA patients in a randomised, blinded, sham-controlled trial, using validated outcome measures.

DESIGN

Hand OA patients, ≥50 years, with pain ≥5 (scale 0-10) and non-responding to conservative therapy were included and randomised 1:1 to receive LDRT (6 × 1 Gy in 2 weeks) or sham (6 × 0 Gy in 2 weeks). Primary outcome was the proportion of OMERACT-OARSI responders, 3 months post-intervention. Secondary outcomes were pain and functioning (Australian/Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index; AUSCAN), quality of life (Short Form Health Survey; SF36) and inflammatory outcomes: erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein serum levels, effusion, synovial thickening and power Doppler signal on ultrasound (range 0-3).

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients were included. After 3 months, no significant difference in responders was observed between groups (LDRT: 8 (29%); sham: 10 (36%); difference -7% (95%CI -31-17%)). Also, differences in clinical and inflammatory outcomes between groups were small and not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

We were unable to demonstrate a substantial beneficial effect of LDRT on symptoms and inflammation in patients with hand OA, compared to sham treatment. Although a small effect can not be excluded, a treatment effect exceeding 20% is very unlikely, given the confidence interval. Therefore, in the absence of other high-level evidence, we advise against the use LDRT as treatment for patients with hand OA.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NTR4574 (Dutch Trial Register).

In thumb base osteoarthritis structural damage is more strongly associated with pain than synovitis

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis in thumb base joints (first carpometacarpal (CMC-1), scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT)) is prevalent and disabling, yet focussed studies are scarce. Our aim was to investigate associations between ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inflammatory features, radiographic osteophytes, and thumb base pain in hand osteoarthritis patients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analyses were performed in cohorts with MRI (n = 202) and ultrasound measurements (n = 87). Pain upon thumb base palpation was assessed. Radiographs were scored for CMC-1/STT osteophytes. Synovial thickening, effusion and power Doppler signal in CMC-1 joints were assessed with ultrasound. MRIs were scored for synovitis and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in CMC-1 and STT joints using OMERACT-TOMS. Associations between ultrasound/MRI features, osteophytes, and thumb base pain were assessed. Interaction between MRI features and osteophytes was explored.

RESULTS

In 289 patients (mean age 60.2, 83% women) 139/376 thumb bases were painful. Osteophyte presence was associated with pain (MRI cohort: odds ratio (OR) 5.1 (2.7-9.8)). Ultrasound features were present in 25-33% of CMC-1 joints, though no associations were seen with pain. MRI-synovitis and BMLs grade ≥2 were scored in 25% and 43% of thumb bases, and positively associated with pain (OR 3.6 (95% CI 1.7-7.6) and 3.0 (1.6-5.5)). Associations attenuated after adjustment for osteophyte presence. Combined presence of osteophytes and MRI-synovitis had an additive effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasonographic and MRI inflammatory features were often present in the thumb base. Osteophytes were more strongly associated with thumb base pain than inflammatory features, in contrast to findings in finger OA studies, supporting thumb base osteoarthritis as a distinct phenotype.

Sensitivity-to-change and validity of semi-automatic joint space width measurements in hand osteoarthritis: a follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

To assess sensitivity-to-change and validity of longitudinal quantitative semi-automatic joint space width (JSW) measurements and to compare this method with semi-quantitative joint space narrowing (JSN) scoring in hand osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

DESIGN

Baseline and 2-year follow-up radiographs of 56 hand OA patients (mean age 62 years, 86% women) were used. JSN was scored 0-3 using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International atlas and JSW was quantified in millimetres (mm) in the second to fifth distal, proximal interphalangeal and metacarpal joints (DIPJs, PIPJs, MCPJs). Sensitivity-to-change was evaluated by calculating Standardized Response Means (SRMs). Change in JSW or JSN above the Smallest Detectable Difference (SDD) defined progression on joint level. To assess construct validity, progressed joints were compared by cross-tabulation and by associating baseline ultrasound variables with progression (using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for age and sex).

RESULTS

The JSW method detected statistically significant mean changes over 2.6 years (-0.027 mm (95%CI -0.01; -0.04), -0.024 mm (-0.01; -0.03), -0.021 mm (-0.01; -0.03) for DIPJs, PIPJs, MCPJs, respectively). Sensitivity-to-change was low (SRMs: 0.174, 0.168, 0.211, respectively). 9.1% (121/1336) of joints progressed in JSW, but 3.6% (48/1336) widened. 83 (6.2%) joints progressed in JSW only, 36 (2.7%) in JSN only and 37 (2.8%) in both methods. Progression in JSW showed weaker associations with baseline inflammatory ultrasound features than progression in JSN.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of progression in hand OA defined by JSW measurements is possible, but performs less well than progression defined by JSN scoring. Therefore, the value of JSW measurements in hand OA clinical trials remains questionable.

Global ultrasound assessment of structural lesions in osteoarthritis: a reliability study by the OMERACT ultrasonography group on scoring cartilage and osteophytes in finger joints

OBJECTIVE

Ultrasonography is sensitive for the evaluation of cartilage pathology and degree of osteophytes in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). High consistency of assessments is essential, and the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) ultrasonography group took the initiative to explore the reliability of a global ultrasonography score in patients with hand OA using semiquantitative ultrasonography score of cartilage and osteophytes in finger joints.

METHODS

Ten patients with hand OA were examined by 10 experienced sonographers over the course of two days. Semiquantitative scoring (0-3) was performed on osteophytes (carpo-metacarpal 1, metacarpo-phalangeal (MCP) 1-5, proximal interphalangeal 1-5 and distal interphalangeal 2-5 joints bilaterally with an ultrasonography atlas as reference) and cartilage pathology (MCP 2-5 bilaterally). A web-based exercise on static cartilage images was performed a month later. Reliability was assessed by use of weighted κ analyses.

RESULTS

Osteophyte scores were evenly distributed, and the intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities were substantial to excellent (κ range 0.68-0.89 and mean κ 0.65 (day 1) and 0.67 (day 2), respectively). Cartilage scores were unevenly distributed, and the intraobserver and interobserver reliability was fair to moderate (κ range 0.46-0.66 and mean κ 0.39 (day 1) and 0.33 (day 2), respectively). The web-based exercise showed acceptable agreement for cartilage being normal (κ 0.47) or with complete loss (κ 0.68), but poor for the intermediate scores (κ 0.22-0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the present semiquantitative ultrasonography scoring system for cartilage pathology in hand OA is not recommended (while normal or total loss of cartilage may be assessed). However, the OMERACT ultrasonography group will endorse the use of semiquantitative scoring of osteophytes with the ultrasonography atlas as reference.

Follow-up study of inflammatory ultrasound features in hand osteoarthritis over a period of 3 months: variable as well as constant

OBJECTIVE

To study inflammatory ultrasound (US) features and pain over a 3-month period in hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

DESIGN

In 25 consecutive HOA patients (mean age 60 years, 76% female), fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were collected at baseline and 3 months. In 750 [all first carpometacarpal (CMC), metacarpalphalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), distal interphalangeal (DIP) and first interphalangeal (IP)] joints, pain was assessed upon palpation and synovial thickening, effusion and power Doppler signal (PDS) were scored with standardized methods by US. Associations between inflammatory features and painful joints were analysed using generalized estimated equations to account for patient effects, adjusting for confounders, and presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

RESULTS

Inflammatory US features were seen in (nearly) all patients. The median number (range) of inflammatory joints per patient did not change over time: 9 (0-16) to 9 (2-18). In 18.7% of joints inflammatory features were present at both time points; in 20.5% inflammatory features occurred only at baseline or follow-up. Pain decreased over time: median VAS pain 49-39 mm; median number of painful joints 8-3. Synovial thickening, effusion and PDS were associated with pain upon palpation both at baseline and follow-up: OR 2.9 (1.4, 5.7), 2.7 (1.7, 4.3), 3.6 (2.1, 6.3) and 7.3 (3.2, 16.5), 3.3 (2.3, 4.7), 4.1 (2.1, 7.9). respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In HOA inflammatory US features are stable over time at patient level, but vary on joint level. Pain diminished after 3 months, while associations between painful joints and inflammation seem to increase, emphasizing the multifactorial aetiology of pain.

The development of a preliminary ultrasonographic scoring system for features of hand osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES

Painful osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand is common and a validated ultrasound (US) scoring system would be valuable for epidemiological and therapeutic outcome studies. US is increasingly used to assess peripheral joints, though most of the US focus in rheumatic diseases has been on rheumatoid arthritis. We aimed to develop a preliminary US hand OA scoring system, initially focusing on relevant pathological features with potentially high reliability.

METHODS

A group of experts in the fields of OA, US and novel tool development agreed on domains and suggested scaling of the items to be used in US hand OA scoring systems. A multi-observer reliability exercise was then performed to evaluate the draft items.

RESULTS

Synovitis (grey scale and Power Doppler) and osteophytes (representing activity and damage domains) were included and evaluated as the initial components of the scoring system. All three features were evaluated for their presence/absence and if present were scored using a 1-3 scale. The reliability exercise demonstrated intra-reader kappa values of 0.444-1.0, 0.211-1.0 and 0.087-1.0 for grey scale synovitis, power Doppler and osteophytes respectively. Inter-reader reliability kappa values were 0.398, 0.327 and 0.530 grey-scale synovitis, power Doppler and osteophytes respectively. Without extensive standardisation, both intra- and inter-reader reliability were moderately good.

CONCLUSIONS

The draft scoring system demonstrated substantive to almost perfect percentage exact agreement on the presence/absence of the selected OA features and moderate to substantive percentage exact agreement on semi-quantitative grading. This preliminary process provides a good basis from which to further develop an US outcome tool for hand OA that has the potential to be utilised in multicentre clinical trials.

Allele-specific PCR analysis for detection of the gld Fas-ligand point mutation

The discovery of a naturally occurring missense point mutation in the gene encoding Fas-ligand (FasL/CD95L) in generalized lymphoproliferative disease (gld) mice has lead to the characterization of FasL as an important mediator of apoptosis. Further analysis of FasL function can be facilitated by crossing the gld mutation onto other mouse-strains, for example those carrying mutations affecting other molecules involved in apoptosis, or disease-prone genetic backgrounds. The success of this is dependent on a quick and reliable screening method. Here we report an allele-specific PCR for detection of the gld mutation. This approach permits the screening of back-crossed F1 progeny within one day, using whole blood samples as a source of genomic DNA. The technique is fast, robust, easily learnt, and unambiguous.