Fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging in shoulders of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sites of inflammatory process in the shoulders of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) using fat suppressed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Six consecutive, untreated new patients with PMR were investigated. Five patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 4 patients with early psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with bilateral shoulder symptoms served as a control group. Bilateral shoulder fat-suppressed MRI sequences were performed in all patients and controls. We evaluated the presence of joint synovitis, bursitis, tenosynovitis, and bone and soft tissue edema. RESULTS: Bilateral subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis was found in all patients with PMR, in 1/5 (20%) patients with RA (p < 0.05), and in none with PsA (p < 0.02). Glenohumeral synovitis was present in all case and controls. Biceps tenosynovitis was observed in 4/6 (67%) patients with PMR, in 4/5 (80%) with RA (not significant, NS), and in all 4 patients with PsA (NS). No evidence of bone edema adjacent to the joint capsule and entheseal insertions or in the soft tissues was present in either cases or controls. CONCLUSION: The absence of extracapsular abnormalities in the early shoulder disease of PMR does not confirm the hypothesis of a capsular-based disorder.     

The clinical course of polymyalgia rheumatica in Chinese

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is diagnosed based on clinical features that may overlap with other rheumatic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Furthermore, a proportion of PMR patients may subsequently evolve into RA. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of PMR patients in a Chinese cohort compared to a Caucasian series. Patients diagnosed to have PMR during 1997–2008 were reviewed for clinical features and compared to a reported Caucasian series. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies were determined by immunonephelometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Forty-four patients of southern Chinese origin were diagnosed to have PMR according to specialist opinion. Seventy-five percent of patients (n?=?33) were >65 years of age at diagnosis (mean?±?standard deviation, 75.8?±?9.6 years). The commonest feature at disease onset was elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate >40 mm/h (100% vs. 95.7%; p?=?0.17) and bilateral shoulder pain or stiffness (95.5% vs. 90.8%; p?=?0.31), comparable in frequency to the Caucasian cohort. However, Chinese patients had significantly longer duration of symptoms before diagnosis (p?<?0.001) but less bilateral upper arm tenderness (p?<?0.001) and generalized stiffness (p?=?0.01). Twelve (27.3%) patients evolved into RA after a median duration of 2 months from onset of PMR. RF and anti-CCP antibodies were positive in 66.7% and 60% of these patients compared to 9.4% and 6.2%, respectively, among those who did not evolve into RA during the period observed. Chinese patients with PMR have modestly different clinical profile compared to the Caucasian counterpart. RF and anti-CCP antibodies were more likely to be present in those who subsequently developed into RA.     

Sites of inflammation in painful rheumatoid shoulder assessed by musculoskeletal ultrasound and power Doppler sonography

Ultrasonography (US) and power Doppler sonography (PDS) was used to investigate causes of new onset of shoulder pain and sites of shoulder inflammation in 157 shoulders of 99 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). US detected effusion and/or synovitis in 92/157 glenohumeral joints, subdeltoid bursitis in 56/157 shoulders and tenosynovitis of biceps tendon in 55/157 shoulders. Bursitis and/or tenosynovitis were accompanied by glenohumeral synovitis in 68/90 shoulders. 68% of serologically active and 12% of serologically inactive patients had glenohumeral synovitis. PDS showed increased microvascular blood flow in 33 of the 44 investigated shoulders. Glenohumeral synovitis was correlated to elevated C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.0001) and microvascular blood flow assessed by PDS (p = 0.02). This study shows that rheumatoid shoulder pain is not caused by glenohumeral synovitis in 32% of patients, despite serologically active RA. US and PDS are mandatory to elucidate the origin of inflammatory and noninflammatory shoulder pain.     

Shoulder ultrasonography in the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis is the most frequent shoulder lesion in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). We evaluated whether shoulder ultrasonography (US) was as effective as MRI in the detection of this lesion and assessed the sensitivity and specificity of bilateral subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis in the diagnosis of PMR. METHODS: A case-control study of 57 consecutive case patients with untreated PMR and 114 controls seen over a 6 month period in 3 secondary referral rheumatology centers. Control patients consisted of the next 2 consecutive patients with bilateral shoulder aching and stiffness observed after the case patient. In all case and control patients the glenohumeral joint space, bursae, and long head biceps tendon were assessed by bilateral shoulder US. The first 24 case patients were also examined by bilateral shoulder MRI. RESULTS: US showed subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis in 55/57 (96%) patients with PMR and in 25/114 (22%) controls (p < 0.001). The lesion was bilateral in 53/55 (96%) case patients and in 1/25 (4%) controls (p < 0.001). The frequency of glenohumeral joint synovitis and biceps tenosynovitis did not differ significantly between case patients and controls. In 100% of case patients MRI showed subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis confirming US findings. The sonographic evidence of bilateral bursitis had a sensitivity of 92.9%, specificity of 99. 1%, and positive predictive value of 98. 1% for the diagnosis of PMR. CONCLUSION: US and MRI were equally effective in confirming bilateral subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis in PMR. This finding, in view of its high sensitivity and specificity, could be used as a new diagnostic criterion for PMR.     

Clinical characteristics of polymyalgia rheumatica in Japanese patients: evidence of synovitis and extracapsular inflammatory changes by fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology characterized by diffuse pain and morning stiffness involving neck, shoulder, and pelvic girdles. To facilitate an understanding of PMR and its proper diagnosis, we evaluated clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and radiographic findings of 32 Japanese patients with it. Distal musculoskeletal manifestations were more frequently observed than had been thought before (81% of the patients), and peripheral arthritis was most common (75%). The joints most often affected were knees and wrists, and most episodes were presented as bilateral oligo- or polyarthritis. A swelling of hands was observed in 34% of the patients. Using contrast-enhanced fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder, we found the evidence of subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis (100%), glenohumeral joint synovitis (93%), and biceps tenosynovitis (57%) in the PMR patients examined. Inflammatory changes in soft tissues around the joint capsule were prominent. By knee MRI, suprapatellar bursitis and joint synovitis were visualized in all cases examined, and extracapsular abnormalities were also prominent in 90% of the patients. Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3, a parameter of synovial inflammation, was significantly increased in PMR patients. Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody was useful for differential diagnosis between PMR and elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, joint and periarticular synovitis seems to be commonly and primarily responsible for the proximal and distal musculoskeletal symptoms of PMR. The presence of the extracapsular change, probably a nonspecific extension of synovitis, can explain the severe discomfort that radiates toward the periphery. To avoid making a wrong diagnosis, we should be aware that peripheral synovitis is one of the hallmarks of PMR.     

Evidence for synovitis in active polymyalgia rheumatica: sonographic study in a large series of patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and localization of synovitis and enthesitis in patients with active, untreated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by ultrasonography (US). METHODS: Polyarticular sonographic evaluation was carried out in 50 consecutive patients with PMR at disease onset. Results were compared with 50 consecutive patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA) and 50 with seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at disease onset. RESULTS: Synovitis and/or effusion was detected, in at least one joint, in 100% of patients with PMR. The most frequent alterations observed in patients with PMR were effusion in the subacromial-subdeltoid (SA-SD) bursa in 70% of patients, tenosynovitis of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) in 68%, glenohumeral joint effusion in 66%, tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons in the carpal tunnel in 38%, radiocarpal effusion in 18%, wrist extensors tenosynovitis in 18%, coxofemoral joint effusion in 40%. knee effusion in 38%, and ankle effusion in 10%. Enthesitis and tendonitis of the anchoring tendons were relatively rare in all the articular sites. Comparison of the SpA and PMR patients showed that enthesitis (mostly in the elbow, knee, and heel) was significantly more frequent in SpA. There was a significant difference in glenohumeral and coxofemoral effusion between the PMR and SpA patients (66% vs 16% and 40% vs 14%, respectively). Comparison of PMR and RA patients showed no significant difference in the involvement of entheses, shoulder, hip, or wrist flexor tendons in the carpal tunnel. Synovitis of the elbow, knee, and wrist was significantly more frequent in the SpA and RA patients than in those with PMR. CONCLUSION: Synovitis was detected in at least one site in 100% of patients with PMR. SA-SD bursitis, LHBT tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and glenohumeral, knee and hip synovitis were the most frequent alterations in PMR. Enthesitis was relatively rare at any articular site.     

Inflamed shoulder structures in polymyalgia rheumatica with normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inflammatory involvement of shoulder articular and extraarticular structures in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients with a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at diagnosis. METHODS: This was a case-control study. All consecutive, untreated new outpatients diagnosed as having PMR with a normal ESR (<40 mm/hour) during a 6-month period were included in the study (case patients). Controls were 12 consecutive, untreated PMR outpatients with an ESR of >40 mm/hour who were observed after the case patients. Before starting corticosteroid therapy, all case patients and controls underwent bilateral shoulder ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). US and MRI scans were evaluated independently by two radiologists who were blinded to the reciprocal results. RESULTS: Six case patients (4 men and 2 women) and 12 controls (4 men and 8 women) were studied. Both US and MRI demonstrated bilateral subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis in all 6 case patients and in 11 of the 12 (92%) controls (P not significant [NS]). One control had unilateral bursitis. Glenohumeral joint synovitis was found in 4 of 6 case patients (67%) by MRI and in 3 of 6 case patients (50%) by US (P NS), as well as in 8 of 12 controls (67%) by MRI and in 7 of 12 controls (58%) by US (P NS). Both MRI and US detected biceps tenosynovitis in 5 of 6 case patients (83%) and in 8 of 12 controls (67%) (P NS). The severity of bursitis did not differ significantly between the groups. US was as effective as MRI in detecting inflammatory changes of the shoulder. CONCLUSION: MRI and US studies showed that PMR patients with normal or high ESRs have similar inflammatory shoulder lesions. Moreover, bilateral subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis represents the imaging hallmark in PMR patients with a high or normal ESR. MRI or US of the shoulder may facilitate the proper diagnosis in patients with the typical proximal symptoms of PMR who also have normal ESRs.     

Etanercept in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: clinical follow-up over one year by ultrasonography

We evaluated clinically and sonographically the effects of etanercept therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over 12 months of treatment. Eighteen patients affected by RA who were non-responders or partial responders to disease modifying therapy were commenced on Etanercept treatment. Before starting therapy (T0) and at 12 months (T1), the following parameters were evaluated: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, number of painful and swollen joints, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS 28). Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) was performed in the following joints: second and fifth metacarpophalangeal, third interphalangeal, wrist and knee joints and a semiquantitative score (0–3) calculated and used to indicate the presence of a localised inflammatory process (synovitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis) and/or structural damage (bone erosion and cartilaginous change). An overall score was calculated based on the sum of the single scores to obtain a comprehensive score indicative of the global pathological change. The US global scores significantly reduced between T0 and T1 (p < 0.0001). The following laboratory and clinical parameters also significantly reduced: ESR (p < 0.0001), CRP (p < 0.02), VAS (p < 0.001), number of total swollen joints (p < 0.001), number of total painful joints (p < 0.01), HAQ scores (p < 0.05) and DAS 28 (p < 0.0001). A positive response to treatment with Etanercept was demonstrated both by US examination of several joints and by clinical evaluation of several parameters. US is a useful tool in the monitoring of biologic therapy in RA, assessing both inflammatory and destructive changes.     

Clinical characteristics of polymyalgia rheumatica in Japanese patients: evidence of synovitis and extracapsular inflammatory changes by fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology characterized by diffuse pain and morning stiffness involving neck, shoulder, and pelvic girdles. To facilitate an understanding of PMR and its proper diagnosis, we evaluated clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and radiographic findings of 32 Japanese patients with it. Distal musculoskeletal manifestations were more frequently observed than had been thought before (81% of the patients), and peripheral arthritis was most common (75%). The joints most often affected were knees and wrists, and most episodes were presented as bilateral oligo- or polyarthritis. A swelling of hands was observed in 34% of the patients. Using contrast-enhanced fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder, we found the evidence of subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis (100%), glenohumeral joint synovitis (93%), and biceps tenosynovitis (57%) in the PMR patients examined. Inflammatory changes in soft tissues around the joint capsule were prominent. By knee MRI, suprapatellar bursitis and joint synovitis were visualized in all cases examined, and extracapsular abnormalities were also prominent in 90% of the patients. Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3, a parameter of synovial inflammation, was significantly increased in PMR patients. Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody was useful for differential diagnosis between PMR and elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, joint and periarticular synovitis seems to be commonly and primarily responsible for the proximal and distal musculoskeletal symptoms of PMR. The presence of the extracapsular change, probably a nonspecific extension of synovitis, can explain the severe discomfort that radiates toward the periphery. To avoid making a wrong diagnosis, we should be aware that peripheral synovitis is one of the hallmarks of PMR.     

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease with unknown aetiology, affecting predominately people of middle age and older. Besides clinical symptoms and diagnostics, imaging techniques including sonography and magnetic resonance imaging may provide evidence of typical inflammatory lesions with bilateral bursitis subdeltoidea or subacromialis, tenosynovitis of the biceps tendon sheath and/or synovitis of the shoulder joints and thus may support the diagnosis of this disease in difficult cases. Corticosteroids are the cornerstone of treatment of PMR, but adverse events because of chronic corticosteroid use are observed in more than 50% of treated patients. Whether immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate and tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors are effective in the therapy of PMR has still not yet been clarified.     

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.     

Factors associated with regional rheumatic pain disorders in a population of Puerto Ricans with diabetes mellitus

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with bursitis/tendonitis disorders in Puerto Ricans with diabetes mellitus (DM). A cross-sectional study was performed in 202 adult Puerto Ricans (100 DM patients and 102 non-diabetic subjects). For each participant, a complete medical history and a musculoskeletal exam were systematically performed. Socio-demographic parameters, health-related behaviors, comorbidities, and pharmacotherapy were determined for all subjects. For DM patients, disease duration, glycemic control, and DM long-term complications were also examined. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with bursitis/tendonitis disorders. The mean (SD) age for DM patients and non-diabetic controls were 53.3 (12.9) and 50.0 (13.1) years; 64.0 and 64.7 % of DM patients and controls were females, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of bursitis/tendonitis was higher in DM patients than among non-diabetics (59.0 % vs. 29.4 %, p?<?0.01). In multivariate analyses, DM patients had 2.47 (95 % CI 1.05, 5.84) the odds of having bursitis/tendonitis as compared to non-diabetics. Specifically, DM patients had a higher frequency of flexor tenosynovitis, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, trochanteric bursitis, and anserine bursitis than non-diabetic subjects (p?<?0.05). Among DM patients, multivariate analyses showed that those with bursitis/tendonitis were more likely to be female [OR (95 % CI) 4.55 (1.42, 14.55)] and have peripheral vascular disease [OR (95 % CI) 8.48 (1.71, 41.93)]. In conclusion, bursitis/tendonitis disorders were common in this population of Hispanics with DM. Among DM patients, bursitis/tendonitis disorders were more frequent in women and those with long-term complications such as peripheral vascular disease.     

Inflammatory immune cell responses and Toll-like receptor expression in synovial tissues in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with biologics or DMARDs

Biologic antirheumatic drugs (BIO) have been reported to be potent therapeutic agents in the prevention of inflammatory joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to investigate the immune-inflammatory cells, including Toll-like receptor (TLR)-equipped cells, in synovial tissue samples from RA patients on BIO compared to patients, who are only on conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). We analyzed immune-inflammatory cells in RA synovitis in patients of BIO group (n?=?20) or DMARD group (n?=?20). The grading scores of synovitis was 1.7 and 1.8 in each BIO and DMARD group and correlated best with the CD3⁺ T (r?=?0.71/0.70, p?<?0.05) and CD20⁺ B (r?=?0.80/0.84, p?<?0.05) cells in the both groups, but less well with the CD68⁺ macrophages and S-100⁺ dendritic cells (DCs). Interestingly, both T (116 vs. 242, p?<?0.05) and B (80 vs. 142, p?<?0.05) cell counts were lower in the BIO than in the DMARD group, whereas macrophage and DC counts did not differ. In contrast, the C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease activity score DAS28-CRP did not show clear-cut correlations with the inflammatory grade of the synovitis (r range, 0–0.35). Similar numbers of cells immunoreactive for TLR-1 to TLR-6 and TLR-9 were found in synovitis in both groups. Patients clinically responding to biologics might still have the potential of moderate/severe local joint inflammation, composed in particular of and possibly driven by the autoinflammatory TLR⁺ cells.     

Calprotectin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis to assess and association with exercise treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune disease that can cause permanent joint damage. In our study, we aim to analyze the change in calprotectin levels following the low-density exercise levels applied to the patients with RA. Twenty-eight patients with RA and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. To evaluate the activity of disease in RA, scores of disease activity that has increased (DAS-28) are figured. Calprotectin, nitric oxide (NO), white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels are tested as the laboratory evaluation. Calprotectin, NO, CRP, ESR, WBC, and RF levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.001, p?<?0.01, p?<?0.01, p?<?0.01, and p?<?0.05, respectively). In correlation analysis applied to the patient group with RA, there has been determined a positive relation with calprotectin, and DAS-28, CRP, NO, RF, and WBC (p?<?0.001, p?<?0.05, p?<?0.001, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.05, respectively). In result of the low-density exercise treatment applied to patients with RA for 8 weeks, there has been determined a significant decrease in calprotectin, DAS-28, NO, CRP, ESR, and RF levels (p?<?0.05, p?<?0.001, p?<?0.01, p?<?0.05, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.05, respectively). As a result, a significant relation is found between RA disease activity and calprotectin levels and other inflammatory parameters. At the same time, it shows that calprotectin which is a significant indicator of local inflammation can be used as a good identifier in following up exercise treatment.     

MRI findings of the shoulder and hip joint in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study is to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the shoulder and hip joint in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Methods. MR images of a total of 25 PMR patients (23 shoulders and 6 hips), 43 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (22 shoulders and 22 hips), and 50 control patients (25 shoulders and 25 hips) were examined. The following MRI findings were evaluated: In the shoulder, thickness and abnormalities of the supraspinatus tendon, effusion around the glenohumeral joint, subacromial-subdeltoid bursa, and the biceps tendon; In the hip, effusion around the acetabulofemoral joint, iliopsoas bursa, and trochanteric bursa. Periarticular soft-tissue edema and bone findings were also analyzed.

Results. The supraspinatus tendon was significantly thicker in PMR patients than in RA patients and control patients (p < 0.05). Severe rotator cuff tendinopathy was frequently observed in PMR patients (p = 0.002). The scores for the amount of effusions (joint, bursa, and tendon sheath in the shoulder and bursa in the hip) were much higher in PMR patients (p < 0.05). Periarticular soft tissue edema was detected more frequently in PMR patients than in RA patients and control patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions. Thick supraspinatus tendon, severe rotator cuff tendinopathy, effusion around the joints, and periarticular soft tissue edema can be good indicators for the diagnosis of PMR.     

Is ankle involvement underestimated in rheumatoid arthritis? Results of a multicenter ultrasound study

The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of subclinical ankle involvement by ultrasound in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study was conducted on 216 patients with RA and 200 healthy sex- and age-matched controls. Patients with no history or clinical evidence of ankle involvement underwent US examination. For each ankle, tibio-talar (TT) joint, tibialis anterior (TA) tendon, extensor halux (EH) and extensor common (EC) tendons, tibialis posterior (TP) tendon, flexor common (FC) tendon and flexor hallux (FH) tendon, peroneous brevis (PB) and longus (PL) tendons, Achilles tendon (AT) and plantar fascia (PF) were assessed. The following abnormalities were recorded: synovitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, enthesopathy and rupture. BMI, DAS28, RF ESR and CRP were also obtained. A total of 432 ankles of patients with RA and 400 ankles of healthy controls were assessed. In 188 (87%) patients with RA, US showed ankle abnormalities whereas, in control group, US found abnormalities in 57 (28.5 %) subjects (p?=?0.01). The most frequent US abnormality in RA patients was TP tenosynovits (69/216) (31.9 %), followed by PL tenosynovitis (58/216) (26.9 %), TT synovitis (54/216) (25 %), PB tenosynovitis (51/216) (23.6 %), AT enthesopathy (41/216) (19 %) and AT bursitis (22/216) (10.2 %). In 118 RA patients out of 216 (54.6%), a positive PD was found. No statistically significant correlation was found between the US findings and age, disease duration, BMI, DAS28, RF, ESR and CRP. The present study provides evidence of the higher prevalence of subclinical ankle involvement in RA patients than in age- and gender-matched healthy controls identified by US.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis: a multicenter,prospective study

To identify the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of hands and wrists in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 129 early arthritis patients (≤1 year) were enrolled in the study. At presentation, MRI of the hands was performed, with clinical and laboratory analyses. After a 1-year follow-up, clinical diagnosis of early RA or non-RA was confirmed by two rheumatologists. The characteristics of MRI variables at baseline in RA patients not fulfilling ACR 1987 criteria [RA-87(?)] were compared with those fulfilling ACR1987 criteria [RA-87(+)] and non-RA. In the 129 early arthritis patients, 90 were diagnosed with RA in a 1-year follow-up. There were 47.8 % (43/90) of the RA patients not fulfilling ACR 1987 criteria [RA-87(?)]. The scores of synovitis in RA-87(?) patients were similar with those in RA-87(+) [Synovitis score, 14.0 (IQR, 4.0–25.0) vs. 14.0 (IQR, 10.0–25.0), p?>?0.05]. Compared with those in non-RA, RA-87(?) patients had higher synovitis scores and occurrence of synovitis in proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints [synovitis score, 14.0 (IQR, 4.0–25.0) vs. 6.0 (IQR, 2.0–14.5), p?=?0.046; occurrence of PIP synovitis: 53.5 vs. 27.3 %, p?=?0.02]. There was no significant difference of bone marrow edema, bone erosion, and tenosynovitis between RA-87(?) and non-RA. Synovitis in PIP joints was independent predictor for RA-87(?) [OR, 3.1 (95 %CI 1.2–8.1)]. High synovitis scores and synovitis in PIP joints on MRI were important in early RA, especially those not fulfilling ACR 1987 criteria.     

Evidence for a different anatomic basis for joint disease localization in polymyalgia rheumatica in comparison with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: The anatomic basis for joint disease localization in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is poorly understood. This study used contrast-enhanced and fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the relationship between synovial and extracapsular inflammation in PMR and early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Ten patients with new-onset PMR and 10 patients with early RA underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and conventional MRI of affected metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Synovitis and tenosynovitis were calculated based on the number of enhancing voxels, initial rate of enhancement, and maximal enhancement of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Periarticular bone erosion and bone edema were scored according to the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials) scoring system in both groups. The degree of extracapsular Gd-DTPA enhancement was assessed in both conditions using semiquantitative scoring. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen in the volume of synovitis (P = 0.294), degree of flexor tenosynovitis (P = 0.532), periarticular erosions (P = 0.579), or degree of bone edema (P = 0.143) between RA and PMR joints. However, despite comparable degrees of synovitis, the proportion of MCP joints showing extracapsular enhancement was higher in the PMR group (100%) than in the RA group (50%) (P = 0.030). One PMR patient, but none of the RA patients, had bone edema at the capsular insertion. CONCLUSION: Despite degrees of synovitis and tenosynovitis comparable with those in RA, PMR-related hand disease is associated with prominent extracapsular changes, suggesting that inflammation in these tissues is more prominent than joint synovitis, which is common in both conditions. This suggests that the anatomic basis for joint disease localization differs between RA and PMR.     

Inflammatory changes of hip synovial structures in polymyalgia rheumatica

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hip inflammatory lesions and to evaluate the accuracy of clinical examination compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) with pelvic girdle symptoms. Secondary end-point was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (US) compared to MRI in the assessment of hip lesions. METHODS: Case-control study of 20 consecutive PMR patients and 40 controls with different rheumatic conditions. Both groups were clinically assessed for the presence of hip synovitis, trochanteric, iliopsoas and ischiogluteal bursitis. Hip MRI was performed in all case-patients and in 10 controls. Both groups were examined by US. An additional group of 10 healthy controls was examined by hip US. RESULTS: Both MRI and US detected trochanteric bursitis in 100% of PMR patients, bilateral in 18/20 (90%), and in 12/40 (30%) controls (p < 0.001). Hip synovitis was detected in 17/20 (85%) by MRI and in 9/20 (45%) by US (p < 0.02) in case-patients and in 18/40 (45%) controls. In PMR, MRI and US showed iliopsoas bursitis in 10/20 (50%) and 6/20 (30%) and ischiogluteal bursitis in 5/20 (25%) and 4/20 (20%) with no differences compared to controls. Clinical examination showed a good accuracy for hip synovitis, trochanteric and ischiogluteal bursitis, while it overestimated the presence of iliopsoas bursitis. US was less sensitive than MRI for the detection of hip synovitis and iliopsoas bursitis (53% and 60%). CONCLUSION: Trochanteric bursitis represents the most frequent hip lesion in PMR. A careful physical examination allows to detect all inflammatory lesions excluding iliopsoas bursitis. US is less sensitive than MRI in the assessment of hip synovitis and iliopsoas bursitis.     

Evaluation of a new erosion score by musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The objectives of this study are to evaluate a new semi-quantitative (0–5) musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) erosion score in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to prove its usefulness in the detection of disease activity and success of therapy. Thirty-eight patients with RA (mean disease duration 10.1?±?11.9 years) were enrolled. Start or change of therapy (DMARD/biologics) was an inclusion criterion. DAS28, laboratory (ESR and CRP) and US data were evaluated before new therapy initiation and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Thirteen joints of the clinically more affected hand and forefoot (wrist and MCP, PIP, MTP joints 2–5) were analyzed for synovitis in grayscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) US, tenosynovitis/paratenonitis in GS/PDUS (wrist, MCP level) and for erosions. Erosions were analyzed by a new semi-quantitative score (grade 0, no erosion; grade 1, <1 mm, grade 2, 1 to <2 mm; grade 3, 2 to ≤3 mm; grade 4, >3 mm; grade 5, multiple bone erosions). After 12 months, DAS28 decreased from 4.5 to 3.4 (p?p?=?0.001) and the synovitis score in PDUS from 10.6 to 4.1 (p?p?=?0.046). There were longitudinal significant correlations between the new erosion score and both the DAS28 (r?=?0.368; p?=?0.025) and the synovitis score in PDUS (r?=?0.365; p?=?0.026) over a 1-year follow-up period. The new erosion score might be a useful tool for the evaluation of erosive changes by US in RA patients. In the course of DMARD and biologic therapy, it was responsive under 1-year follow-up examination.