Change of synovial vascularity in single finger joint assessed by power Doppler sonography correlated with radiographic alterin rheumatoid arthritis: Comparative study of novel quantitative score with semi-quantitative score.

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010 Jan 29;

Authors: Fukae J Kon Y Henmi M Sakamoto F Narita A Shimizu M Tanimura K Matsuhashi M Kamishima T Atsumi T Koike T

objectIVE.: To investigate the relation between synovial vascularity assessed by quantitative power Doppler sonography (PDUS) and progression of structural bone damage in single finger joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS.: We studied 190 metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and 190 proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of 19 patients with lively RA who had initial treatment with sicknessmodifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Patients were examined by clinical and laboratory assessments through study. Hand and foot radiography was performed at baseline and the 20(th) week. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline. Power Doppler sonography was performed at baseline and the 8(th) week. Synovial vascularity were evaluated according to both quantitative and semi-quantitative method. RESULTS.: Quantitative PDUS was significantly correlated with enhancement rate of MRI in each single finger joint. Comparing quantitative synovial vascularity and radiographic change in single MCP or PIP joint the level of vascularity at baseline showed significant positive correlation with radiographic progression at the 20(th) week. The change of vascularity responded to DMARDs defined as the percentage change in vascularity by the 8(th) week from baseline was inversely correlated with radiographic progression in each MCP joint. Quantitative PDUS method was more useful than semi-quantitative method for the evaluation of synovial vascularity in single finger joint. CONCLUSION.: The change of synovial vascularity in single finger joint determined by the quantitative PDUS could numerically predict its radiographic progression. Using vascularity as guide to consider therapeutic approach would have benefits for patients with active RA.

PMID: 20191472 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]