title: [The use of thermography in the assessment of the rheumatoid knee--the thermographic index and the heat distribution index].
abstract: The thermographic index (TI) and the heat distribution index (HDI) have been reported to be useful in association with the assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. We have examined the appropriate conditions on measuring both indices. It was shown that TI and HDI should be measured at 20 degrees C and at a 20-minute equilibration time. Furthermore, a comparative evaluation of TI and HDI was made. The results showed that the HDI was more sensitive and correlated better with the clinical assessment of the severity of joint swelling than TI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu-city.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nishioka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobori
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakatani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hukuda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D013817:Thermography