Zusammenfassung
Objective: The purpose of this study was to classify sonographically the joint damage of target joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA). Methods: During a 3-year cross-sectional study, standardized arthrosonography of symptomatic target joints was performed in patients with RA. According to those findings, a classification with progressive deterioration of joint alteration in RA was ...
Zusammenfassung
Objective: The purpose of this study was to classify sonographically the joint damage of target joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA). Methods: During a 3-year cross-sectional study, standardized arthrosonography of symptomatic target joints was performed in patients with RA. According to those findings, a classification with progressive deterioration of joint alteration in RA was created that grades visible morphological changes of the joint components. Using elbow joints as a subgroup, inter- and intraobserver reliability was calculated. Results: Examined and included in this study were 1211 joints of 425 patients with RA. The mean disease activity score was 5.2 ( range 0.75 - 7.79). Sonographically visible changes could be classified and divided into six stages. A standardized sonographic evaluation system was developed. In reference to the elbow joint, overall percentages for intra- and interobserver reliability of sonography were 90.8% and 88.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Sonography is a valuable tool for assessing and classifying joint alteration in RA. Particularly in early stages of joint affection, ultrasound is superior to X-ray in detecting soft tissue changes and minor erosions.
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