Targeted ultrasound of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint in an early inflammatory arthritis cohort

Objective

To determine whether targeted ultrasonographic (US) imaging of the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, compared with radiographs, could aid in the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by identifying erosions sooner in early inflammatory arthritis. Radiographic erosion in RA is a late indication of poor prognosis. The earlier detection of erosion may facilitate the timely initiation of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug therapy, particularly in patients with undifferentiated synovitis.

Methods

Patients presenting with synovitis for the first time were invited to participate. Each patient underwent laboratory tests, radiographs of the hands and feet, and US imaging of both fifth MTP joints.

Results

Thirty patients (22 women) took part in the study. Seventeen patients (57%) had RA, and 13 (43%) had undifferentiated arthritis (UA). The mean ± SD time taken to scan both fifth MTP joints was 10.9 ± 4.4 minutes. Ten patients (33%) had US evidence of synovitis associated with a positive power Doppler (PD) signal (P = 0.04). Seven patients (23%) had radiographic erosions of the fifth MTP joint, and 17 patients (57%) had US evidence of fifth MTP joint erosions (P = 0.01). A positive PD signal at the fifth MTP joint was seen in 9 of 17 patients with RA and 1 of 13 patients with UA (P = 0.02). Patients with a definite diagnosis of RA were more likely to have fifth MTP joint erosions (11 [65%] of 17) compared with UA (6 [46%] of 13).

Conclusion

Targeted US is a rapid and useful tool in detecting erosive disease in early inflammatory arthritis. It gives a better indication of disease severity and prognosis compared with routinely available laboratory tests, even in the absence of a definite diagnosis.     

Autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides predict progression to rheumatoid arthritis in patients with undifferentiated arthritis: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, severe, chronic inflammatory joint disease. Since the disease may initially be indistinguishable from other forms of arthritis, early diagnosis can be difficult. Autoantibodies seen in RA can be detected years before clinical symptoms develop. In an inception cohort of patients with recent-onset arthritis, we undertook this study to assess the predictive value of RA-specific autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCPs) in patients with undifferentiated arthritis (UA). METHODS: Anti-CCP2 antibody tests were performed at baseline in 936 consecutive, newly referred patients with recent-onset arthritis. Patients who could not be properly classified 2 weeks after inclusion were categorized as having UA. Patients with UA were followed up for 3 years and evaluated for progression of their disease to RA as defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 revised criteria. RESULTS: Three hundred eighteen of 936 patients with recent-onset arthritis were classified as having UA and were available for analysis. After 3 years of followup, 127 of 318 UA patients (40%) had been classified as having RA. RA had developed in 63 of 249 patients (25%) with a negative anti-CCP test and in 64 of 69 patients (93%) with a positive anti-CCP test (odds ratio 37.8 [95% confidence interval 13.8-111.9]). Multivariate analysis of the presence of anti-CCP antibodies and parameters from the ACR criteria identified polyarthritis, symmetric arthritis, erosions on radiographs, and anti-CCP antibodies as significant predictors of RA. CONCLUSION: Testing for anti-CCP antibodies in UA allows accurate prediction of a substantial number of patients who will fulfill the ACR criteria for RA.     

MRI assessment of erosion repair in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis receiving double-filtration plasmapheresis in addition to leflunomide and methotrexate: a randomized controlled trial

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the addition of double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) to leflunomide and methotrexate repairs MRI bone erosion in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Seventy-two patients with highly active RA of >?3 years’ duration were randomized to receive DFPP in addition to DMARDs (leflunomide and methotrexate) or DMARDs. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the right wrist was performed at months 0, 6, and 12. MRI bone erosion, synovitis, and bone edema were scored with validated methods. The primary endpoint was the change in MRI bone erosion over 12 months. Patients treated with DFPP in addition to DMARDs demonstrated significantly greater decrease in MRI erosion score compared with those treated with DMARDs, being 11.3?±?9.6 at month 12, compared with 16.9?±?8.3 in patients with DMARDs (P?<?0.001), and compared with 14.4?±?9.6 at baseline (P?<?0.001). 84.2% of patients treated with DFPP in addition to DMARDs demonstrated a decrease in MRI erosion score. Synovitis and bone edema improved significantly with DFPP in addition to DMARDs compared with DMARDs at months 6 and 12. (1.05?±?1.7 and 2.0?±?3.9 compared with 8.0?±?1.4 and 12.6?±?7.9 at month 12). Patients without synovitis and bone edema reached in 55.3% among patients with DFPP in addition to DMARDs. This study demonstrated that DFPP combination therapy significantly decreased bone erosion and received the primary goal of repair of erosions through abrogating MRI inflammation (synovitis and bone edema) in long-standing RA patients with high disease activity. The findings suggest that addition of DFPP is associated with repair of erosions and further suppression of inflammation.     

Prognostic factors in a large cohort of patients with early undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis after application of a structured management protocol

OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory arthritis of the hands is a frequent clinical presentation with a variable outcome. Patients not satisfying the classification criteria for recognized arthritides are described as having undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis, for which there are no accepted therapeutic algorithms. This study assessed the clinical outcome of patients with undifferentiated arthritis of the hands after use of a treatment algorithm, and evaluated the prognostic features in these patients. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with undifferentiated arthritis of the hands were assessed following use of a pragmatic treatment algorithm that was based on clinical presentation and response to treatment. The following standard step-up treatment protocol was used: 1) nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 2) a single dose of corticosteroid administered by either intramuscular or intraarticular injection, and 3) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Patients with specific rheumatologic diagnoses were excluded. The primary outcome was persistence of synovitis at 12 months. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of patients received NSAIDs, 72% received corticosteroids, and 30% received DMARD therapy. Among patients who had synovitis at 12 months, the prevalence of rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity, swollen joints, and synovitis at baseline was greater than in those without persistent synovitis. Logistic regression analysis showed baseline investigations to be poor predictors of subsequent DMARD use, with the best predictor being persistence of synovitis at 12 weeks. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed in 14 patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that significant predictors of RA were RF seropositivity and the painful joint count at baseline. No patient who experienced resolution of synovitis by 12 weeks had persistent synovitis that subsequently required DMARD therapy. Only 13% of patients entered remission. Early resolution of synovitis was associated with an excellent prognosis. CONCLUSION: Undifferentiated arthritis of the hands is not a benign condition, with 30% of patients receiving DMARD therapy by 12 months and low remission rates. Results of the clinical assessment at 12 weeks is the single best predictor of future therapy. This study provides background data for use in determining future therapeutic interventions.     

Were the patterns of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis during 1977-1992 consistent with modern clinical guidelines?

OBJECTIVE: Quality assessment of the long-term treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Treatment patterns in a cohort of 70 local and 77 distant RA patients during 1977-1992 were reviewed retrospectively and compared to modern clinical guidelines. RESULTS: In 1977 disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were given to 62% of the new, hospitalised patients, systemic corticosteroids to 7%, and corticosteroid joint injections to 24%. Patients with short disease duration and/or serious disease were selected for DMARD-treatment. Rheumasurgery was performed on 21%. During follow-up of local patients 54% were recorded with DMARDs for a mean duration of 29 months; approximately 1/5 of the follow-up period. Methotrexate was used infrequently. Local and systemic corticosteroids were recorded in approximately 20%. Rheumasurgery, predominantly non-prosthetic, was performed on 27%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early and serious disease were selected for DMARD-therapy, but the treatment duration was too short for modern requirements. Pharmaceutical and surgical treatment patterns were otherwise mainly consistent with present guidelines.     

Clinical features and disease outcomes of undifferentiated arthritis in Thailand

Background: Undifferentiated arthritis (UA) comprises arthritis not yet identifiable as a specific rheumatic disease. Few reports exist on the natural course of UA in Thai patients. Objective: To study the clinical features and natural course of UA in Thai patients. Method: A retrospective, analytical study was performed among Thai patients diagnosed with UA seen at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand, between January 2002 and December 2007. Results: The medical records of 95 UA patients were reviewed. The mean age at onset was 40.7 ± 14.7 years (range, 15–78). The female:male ratio was 1.25 : 1.00. Common presentations included asymmetrical oligoarthritis followed by polyarthritis. The knee was the most commonly affected joint, followed by the wrist and ankle. Complete remission occurred within 6 months of onset in 4.2% of cases. A diagnosis was specified in 29 patients (30.5%) during the follow‐up period (which averaged 17.1 ± 24.0 months [range, 6–84]), including reactive arthritis (in 9 patients), undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (7), rheumatoid arthritis (6), psoriatic arthritis (4), ankylosing spondylitis (1), gout (1) and unclassified connective tissue disease (1). UA was the default diagnosis for 66 patients (69.5%) after 24 months of follow‐up. Hyperglobulinemia was correlated with persistent arthritis (i.e., > 6 months, P = 0.045). The only predictive factor for RA development was old‐age at onset (P = 0.038). Conclusion: The most common presentation of Thai UA was asymmetrical oligoarthritis and most patients had persistent arthritis correlated with hyperglobulinemia. Elderly‐onset, without any radiographic changes or rheumatoid factor, was predictive of RA development during follow‐up.     

Diagnostic usefulness of synovial vascular morphology in chronic arthritis. A systematic survey of 100 cases

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic usefulness of the systematic analysis of synovial vascular morphology in various inflammatory, early, and longstanding arthropathies, and to examine the validity of the vascular patterns in predicting the evolution of a group of patients with undifferentiated arthritis (UA). METHODS: One hundred patients who underwent rheumatologic arthroscopy of a symptomatic joint (85 knees, 11 wrists, 3 elbows, 1 metacarpophalangeal joint) were evaluated. The same observer, blinded to patient diagnosis, analyzed the video recordings of the arthroscopies. Vascular morphology was classified into 3 patterns: straight, tortuous, and mixed. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients had inflammatory arthritis: 35 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 16 psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 13 spondyloarthropathies (SpA), and 17 UA. Forty-nine percent of patients with RA had a straight pattern, 28% a mixed, and 23% a tortuous one. The sensitivity rate of the straight pattern for RA was 77% and the specificity rate was 70%. Seventy-six percent of RA patients with a straight pattern were rheumatoid factor positive (RF+) against 25% of RA patients with a tortuous pattern. The odds ratio for RA associated to straight compared with tortuous pattern was 57.3 (95% confidence interval, 6.6 to 499.5; P <.001). Patients with PsA and SpA shared the same pattern and were analyzed as 1 group. Ninety-three percent of patients with PsA/SpA had a tortuous pattern, 4% a straight pattern, and 3% a mixed pattern. The sensitivity rate of the tortuous pattern for PsA/SpA was 61% and the specificity rate was 95%. During 2 years of follow-up, 6 of 17 patients with UA were definitely diagnosed: 4 RA (2 RF+ and straight pattern; 2 with a tortuous pattern, 1 with RF+ and HLA-B27+); 1 SpA and 1 PsA, both with a tortuous pattern. No differences in vascular patterns were observed according to disease duration. Our results indicate that vascular patterns are not modified by disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment. The other 19 patients had osteoarthritis (n = 8) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (n = 11) and their predominant vascular pattern was tortuous-like. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic assessment of synovial vascular changes in chronic arthritis may be of diagnostic and pathogenetic interest, although differences between published studies suggest a need for consensus in evaluating vascular patterns. A straight pattern is strongly associated with RF + RA whereas a tortuous pattern is generally associated with PsA or SpA; these associations are independent of disease duration. The vascular pattern likely does not change qualitatively with DMARD therapy. The application of this technique to the diagnosis or prognosis of patients with UA may be a complementary tool for the treatment of these patients, but larger, prospective studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.     

Superior effect of arthroscopic lavage compared with needle aspiration in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis of the knee

OBJECTIVES: To compare the duration of symptom relief after arthroscopic lavage versus needle aspiration in gonarthritis. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was performed in 50 patients with non-septic inflammatory arthritis of the knee who underwent arthroscopic lavage because of relapsing or persisting arthritis after needle aspiration. The primary outcome measure was the time until symptomatic recurrence of knee synovitis. RESULTS: Needle aspiration was associated with a 3.0 times greater risk of recurrence of arthritis compared with arthroscopic lavage within 12 months (P<0.001, 95% confidence interval 2.1-4.4). Patients with longer disease duration and who had used more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) had a significantly lower risk of recurrence of arthritis compared with patients with shorter disease duration and a lower number of previous DMARDs (P=0.04 and 0.02 respectively). Corticosteroids augmented the effect of both interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that arthroscopic lavage is an effective therapeutic modality in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis of the knee refractory to joint aspiration, especially in patients with longstanding disease.     

Subclinical synovitis and tenosynovitis by ultrasonography (US) 7 score in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with synthetic drugs,in clinical remission by DAS28

ObjectiveTo identify synovitis and tenosynovitis active by using the Ultrasound 7 (US 7) scoring system in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical remission induced by synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).MethodsThis is a multicentric, cross-sectional, observational study including 94 RA patients >18 years old who were in remission as defined by the 28-joints disease activity score (DAS28) <2.6 induced by synthetic DMARD during at least 6 months. Patients with a previous or current history of biologic DMARD treatment were not included in the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected by the local rheumatologist; the US evaluation was performed by a calibrated rheumatologist, who intended to detect grayscale synovitis and power Doppler (PD) using the 7-joint scale. Intra and inter-reader exercises of images between 2 ultrasonographers were realized.ResultsPatients’ mean age was 49.1 ± 13.7 years; 83% were women. The mean disease duration was 8 ± 7 years and remission lasted for 27.5 ± 31.8 months. The mean DAS28 score was 1.9 ± 0.66. Grayscale synovitis was present in 94% of cases; it was mild in 87.5% and moderate in 12.5%. Only 12.8% of the patients had PD. The metatarsophalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, and carpal joints of the dominant hand were the joints more frequently affected by synovitis. Tenosynovitis by grayscale was observed in 9 patients (9.6%). The intra and inter-reading kappa value were 0.77, p < 0.003 (CI 95%, 0.34–0.81) and 0.81, p < 0.0001 (CI 95%, 0.27–0.83) respectively.ConclusionsLow percentage of synovitis and tenosynovitis active were founded according to PD US by 7 score in RA patients under synthetic DMARDs during long remission. This score has benefit because evaluate tenosynovitis, another element of subclinical disease activity.     

Presence of power Doppler synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients with synthetic and/or biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug-induced clinical remission: experience from a Chinese cohort

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who reached clinical remission. Two hundred and two RA patients were enrolled into this study. One hundred and eleven RA patients achieved clinical remission with the treatment of synthetic and/or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Subclinical synovitis was assessed by power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS). PD synovitis was semi-quantitatively recorded. Twenty-two joint regions were imaged: bilateral wrists, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. PD remission was defined as a total PD score of 0. The subclinical synovitis in the RA patients who achieved clinical remission was evaluated. The correlations between PD total scores and clinical/laboratory parameters were analyzed. Among the 111 RA patients who achieved clinical remission, 110 (99.1 %), 67 (60.4 %), 55 (49.5 %), 50 (45.0 %), and 54 (48.6 %) patients, respectively, satisfied DAS28 (CRP), DAS28 (ESR), CDAI, SDAI, and 2010 ACR/EULAR remission criteria. However, only 54 (48.6 %) patients achieved PD remission. Subclinical synovitis was detectable in 57 (51.8 %), 30 (44.8 %), 22 (40.0 %), 19 (38.0 %), and 18 (33.3 %) patients accordingly. On the contrary, 11 (26.8 %) out of 41 patients who fulfilled all five clinical remission criteria had evidence of subclinical synovitis. In those 91 patients who did not achieved clinical remission, total PD score was correlated with swollen joint counts (SJC), tender joint counts (TJC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and complex disease activity indexes (P?<?0.01), but not the titers of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide. Among those 57 patients with subclinical synovitis after reaching clinical remission, no correlation was found between PD total score and SJC, TJC, ESR, CRP, and complex disease activity indexes. Presence of subclinical synovitis is common in patients achieving clinical remission. The stricter clinical remission criteria may reflect less PD synovitis. In patients with active RA, PD total score of synovitis was positively correlated with disease activity.     

Predictive factors in early arthritis: long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND: Because recent-onset inflammatory arthritis exhibits considerable clinical and prognostic variability, it is important to attempt to predict which patients are likely to have a poor prognosis as early as possible. Most prognostic studies have looked at patients who fulfilled proposed criteria for a definite diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other well-defined conditions; less information exists concerning predictive factors for other types of early arthritis. OBJECTIVES: To examine prognosis in early arthritis, the authors assessed the long-term outcome in a cohort of patients who presented with inflammatory arthritis of short duration. Associations between outcome and patient clinical characteristics were analyzed to determine possible prognostic factors. METHODS: Since 1968, patients were selected to be followed up in 2 early-arthritis clinics if they had evidence of inflammatory joint disease and symptom duration was <1 year. Length of follow-up was variable, but was at least 1 year. At last follow-up, patients were classified as being in remission or as having persistent disease. Factors associated with a poor outcome were identified by using formal statistical methods. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients were included in this analysis. Mean disease duration to the first evaluation was 3 months, and median follow-up was 5 years (range, 1 to 30 months). Twenty-one patients (17%) had transient disease defined as total duration of <6 weeks. Sixty-three patients (52%) were in remission at final follow-up, with unclassified patients doing the best. Patients meeting criteria for RA or spondylarthropathies had more persistent disease. Polyarticular disease predicted more persistent disease (P <.05). In multivariable analyses, patients with initial hand involvement were much less likely to achieve remission of their disease (odds ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.05 to 0.66). Only 4 patients had either class 4 function or joint replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that prognosis in early inflammatory arthritis is generally good, with more than half of all patients achieving remission in our cohort. Patients with unclassified arthritis fared better than those meeting criteria for RA or spondylarthropathy. Of the many clinical variables examined as possible prognostic factors, hand involvement was the strongest predictor of a poor outcome. RELEVANCE: The long follow-up of these patients with early arthritis provides clues for the clinician to the likely course and shows that many patients will do well.     

Regional variation and differential response to therapy for knee synovitis adjacent to the cartilage-pannus junction and suprapatellar pouch in inflammatory arthritis: implications for pathogenesis and treatment

OBJECTIVE: To use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the importance of knee joint synovitis at the cartilage-pannus junction (CPJ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as compared with synovitis at a distant site in the suprapatellar pouch (SPP) and as compared with CPJ synovitis in the spondylarthropathies (SpA), and to assess the relative response of knee joint synovitis to therapy at the CPJ and SPP sites. METHODS: Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DEMRI) of actively involved knee joints in 24 patients (13 with RA and 11 with SpA) was undertaken. The area of synovitis was calculated at the CPJ and SPP regions of interest in patients with RA and in patients with SpA. Differences in CPJ and SPP synovitis were determined using calculated DEMRI parameters which included the initial rate of contrast enhancement (IRE) and the maximal enhancement (ME). Changes in the synovial area at the CPJ and SPP were also measured in 10 patients with early RA, following treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (either methotrexate or leflunomide). RESULTS: In patients with RA or SpA, the area of synovitis was significantly larger immediately adjacent to the CPJ compared with a distant site at the SPP (in RA, mean synovitis area 162 mm2 at the CPJ versus 114 mm2 at the SPP [P = 0.010]; in SpA, mean synovitis area 214 mm2 at the CPJ versus 143 mm2 at the SPP [P = 0.002]), but the differences in the areas of synovitis at these sites were not significant between the RA and SpA patients. The IRE and ME values were also higher at the CPJ compared with the SPP, both in the RA patients (IRE P = 0.054, ME P = 0.018) and in the SpA patients (IRE P = 0.002, ME P = 0.001). A larger reduction in the area of synovitis was seen at the SPP compared with the CPJ following DMARD therapy in the RA patients (mean reduction 35% at the SPP [P = 0.023] and 12% at the CPJ [P not significant]). CONCLUSION: The non-disease-specific variations in synovitis and the differential responses to therapy in RA patients have implications for improving our understanding of CPJ synovitis. The results suggest that the pathophysiologic events at the CPJ reflect common anatomic, immune system, or biomechanical factors that play a role in modulating the severity of arthritis, and these events are not specific to RA since the same process was observed in other arthritides.     

Adalimumab alone and in combination with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice: the Research in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis (ReAct) trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adalimumab alone or in combination with standard disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients with active RA despite treatment with DMARDs or prior treatment with a tumour necrosis factor antagonist participated in a multicentre, open-label clinical study of adalimumab 40 mg every other week for 12 weeks with an optional extension phase. Patients were allowed to continue with pre-existing traditional DMARDs. Long-term safety results are reported for all patients (4210 patient-years (PYs) of adalimumab exposure). The observed effectiveness results at week 12 are reported using American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria. RESULTS: Among the 6610 treated patients, adalimumab was generally well tolerated. Serious infections occurred in 3.1% of patients (5.5/100 PYs, including active tuberculosis, 0.5/100 PYs). Demyelinating disease (0.06%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (0.03%) were rare serious adverse events. The standardised incidence ratio of malignancy was 0.71 (95% CI 0.49 to 1.01). The standardised mortality ratio was 1.07 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.49). At week 12, 69% of patients achieved an ACR20 response, 83% a moderate, and 33% a good EULAR response. Adalimumab was effective in combination with a variety of DMARDs. The addition of adalimumab to antimalarials was comparably effective to the combination of adalimumab and methotrexate. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the limitations of an open-label study, adalimumab alone or in combination with standard DMARDs appeared to be well tolerated and effective in 6610 difficult-to-treat patients with active RA treated in clinical practice.     

The Outcome of Knee Synovitis in Early Arthritis Provides Guidelines for Management

The aim of the study was to examine the clinical outcome of patients presenting to an early arthritis clinic with synovitis of the knee. The patients were assessed at presentation for evidence and pattern of joint inflammation. These patients were then reassessed at 3, 6 and 12 months and thereafter annually to determine clinical outcome. One thousand six hundred and thirty-three consecutive referrals were examined, 903 of whom had early synovitis. One hundred and thirty had knee synovitis at presentation, of whom 73 fulfilled ACR criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the study. All 73 presented with a symmetrical polyarthritis that included the small joints and had persistent disease at 1 year. Of the remaining 57 patients, 61% of those presenting with an oligoarthritis and 33% with a polyarthritis (including knee synovitis) were in remission at 1 year. None of those presenting as a monoarthritis of the knee had inflammation at 1 year or fulfilled ACR criteria for RA at any time. It was concluded that patients presenting with knee synovitis in the absence of a small joint polyarthritis usually have a benign course following standard therapy. No patient who presented with monoarthritis developed RA. Knee synovitis as part of a polyarthritis (even when not fulfilling ACR criteria) probably justifies disease-modifying antirheumatic drug at presentation. Received: 11 March 1999 / Accepted: 26 July 1999     

A classification study of clinical subsets in an inception cohort of early psoriatic peripheral arthritis--'DIP or not DIP revisited'

INTRODUCTION: Multiple psoriatic arthritis (PsA) classification criteria exist, but these are based on established PsA when pre-existing joint damage and the effect of medication may confound their validity. This study examined the application of the Veale classification criteria in early PsA to determine the effect of disease progression and treatment on classification and to determine the effect of the number of involved joints and the presence of distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint involvement at initial presentation on clinical and radiological outcome. METHODS: A total of 129 patients presenting with PsA to an Irish early synovitis clinic were assessed at presentation and at 1- and 2-yr follow-up. The Veale criteria were used for PsA classification and the Sharp score of hands and feet was used to quantify radiological outcome. RESULTS: At presentation, 52 (40%) had oligoarticular PsA and 77 (60%) had polyarticular PsA. Patients with polyarticular PsA were administered disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) more frequently than patients with oligoarticular PsA and this resulted in a significant number of polyarticular PsA patients being reclassified as oligoarticular PsA at 1- [27/70 (39%)] and 2-yr [26/53 (49%)] follow-up. Fewer patients initially classified with oligoarticular PsA were reclassified as polyarticular PsA. More patients with oligoarticular PsA at baseline were in DMARD-free remission and there was less radiological damage at 2-yr follow-up. DIP disease was associated with other classic seronegative disease features-enthesopathy and nail dystrophy-but did not influence clinical or radiological outcome and the separation of DIP disease as a distinct subgroup in classification criteria was not supported. Synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis (SAPHO) syndrome was not observed as a separate subgroup. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the application of classification criteria of PsA based on the pattern and number of involved joints may be confounded in established PsA by the effects of DMARDs. The application of classification criteria based on disease pattern prior to treatment may be more useful in studies of pathogenesis and long-term outcome in PsA.     

Disease activity and functional changes of RA patients receiving different DMARDs in clinical practice

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in improving disease activity and functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One hundred and fifty-two Thai RA patients treated with at least one DMARD were enrolled in this 1-year cohort. Demographic characteristics, baseline and end-of-study data on disease activity and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index of the subjects were compared among different DMARD options. Predictors of HAQ score were investigated using regression analysis. The results showed that the studied patients had established RA with mild to moderate activity. More than 85% were prescribed methotrexate (MTX) as single or combined DMARDs. At 1 year, improvement in most activity measures was experienced. However, all patients had functional declines. Patients taking antimalarial agents had the maximal rate of functional deterioration. Patients taking MTX-based DMARDs had significantly lower rate of functional decline than patients taking DMARDs without MTX (p=0.018). Only patients receiving MTX-based DMARDs had clinically meaningful improvement in HAQ score. The predictors of HAQ score at 1 year included baseline HAQ score and patient global assessment at end of study. In conclusion, although DMARD treatment was shown to improve disease activity in RA patients, functional deterioration was evident in our cohort. Thus, measures of functional status are more appropriate than measures of disease activity to evaluate treatment effects of DMARDs in established RA in clinical practice. MTX-based DMARDs should be prescribed where possible in RA patients with persisting activity due to their ability to delay functional deterioration.     

Soluble CD30 in early rheumatoid arthritis as a predictor of good response to second-line therapy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether serum levels of the soluble form of CD30 (sCD30) correlate with disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may have prognostic value in predicting the response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). METHODS: The levels of sCD30 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in the serum of 14 untreated subjects with early RA, before and during treatment with hydroxychloroquine, for a follow-up period of 8 months. At the end of the study, patients were also evaluated for their response to DMARDs. RESULTS: An inverse correlation between sCD30 and CRP serum values was demonstrated at baseline, but not during the follow-up. Patients who responded to DMARD therapy had higher sCD30 basal levels than non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of sCD30 serum levels in early RA may reflect the attempt by CD30+ T cells to downmodulate inflammation and may be a useful marker to predict a good response to DMARDs.     

Clinical experience with inhibition of interleukin-6

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Prognosis depends on disease severity and response to treatment. Those patients whose diseases are refractory to treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and have persistent inflammation have reduced survival similar to patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although DMARDs reduce inflammation and improve symptoms, they do not improve long-term prognosis. Chronic synovial inflammation results in damage to the articular cartilage and adjacent bone. Consequently,after 10 years of disease most patients develop significant disability due to joint damage. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key mediator of inflammation in RA. Inhibition of IL-6 reduces synovitis and improves symptoms. Therapies targeting IL-6 are promising new treatments for RA.     

Outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated by step-wise administration of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs over a 10-year period

 Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are expected to relieve polyarthritis, and thereby improve the patient's quality of life and eventually alter the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or the progressive joint destruction caused by it. DMARDs may cause adverse reactions and become less effective over time in some patients. Using changes in disease activity and X-ray findings as indicators, we retrospectively evaluated the long-term results of the step-wise administration of DMARDs in 200 patients with RA. The patients had been treated with gold compounds, SH compounds, and methotrexate, in this order, over a total of 10 years since initially being diagnosed with the disease in its relatively early stages. The step-wise administration of DMARDs had decreased and controlled RA activity and inflammatory response over the 10 years. Although X-ray findings for the wrists worsened over time in most of the patients, no knee or hip joint destruction was observed in patients in whom disease activity had been controlled well for a long period of time. The progression of destruction of major joints can be prevented in cases in which the Lansbury activity index and C-reactive protein are maintained at levels not more than 30% and 1.5 mg/dl, respectively. Since no drugs are now available which specifically prevent the progression of joint destruction, it is important to control RA activity for as long as possible. Received: November 5, 2001 / Accepted: June 5, 2002 Correspondence to:F. Shinomiya