Doppler sonographic evaluation of effect of treatment with infliximab (Remicade) for rheumatoid arthritis.
Synovial vascularization in the knee joints of six patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with infliximab was evaluated by Doppler sonography. Power Doppler sonography demonstrated a significant reduction of color flow signals (P < 0.05), and spectral Doppler sonography demonstrated a significant increase in vascular resistance (P < 0.05) at week 6 (after three injections) evaluation of the therapy. A significant decrease in the number of tender joints (P < 0.05) and C-reactive protein value (P < 0.05) was also observed in these patients.
Takahashi
Atsushi
A
Division of Rheumatology, Ohta Nishinouchi Hospital, 2-5-20 Nishinouchi, Koriyama, 963-8558, Japan. junior@fmu.ac.jp
Sato
Ai
A
Yamadera
Yukio
Y
Takeda
Isao
I
Kanno
Takashi
T
Ohguchi
Yoshito
Y
Nishimaki
Tomoe
T
Kasukawa
Reiji
R