Ultrasound findings in rheumatoid wrist arthritis highly correlate with function.
OBJECTIVE
The wrist is almost invariably affected in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammation of the wrist can lead to impaired function and eventually to severe destruction. Classical signs of inflammation, pain, swelling and heat may often be observed in clinical examination of wrist arthritis and in ultrasound (US) investigation. We described the relation between clinical and ultrasound parameters of wrist arthritis and secondly their relation to function.


METHODS
In 33 RA patients with wrist arthritis, clinical and US parameters were measured. Function was evaluated with the SODA-S (Sequential Occupational Dexterity Assessment-Short) and the DASH-DLV (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-Dutch Language Version). Correlation coefficients were calculated and factor analysis was performed to describe the relation between the aforementioned measures.


RESULTS
Correlation coefficients between clinical and ultrasound parameters of RA wrist inflammation in this study were fair to moderate. We found a good correlation between ultrasound and observed function.


CONCLUSIONS
The classical signs of inflammation (pain, swelling, redness, heat and impaired function) seem to reflect different aspects of arthritis. Ultrasound correlates well with function, thus can give paramount information on wrist function, and might therefore be a valuable complementary tool in measuring wrist arthritis in RA.
Baan
Hetty
H
Ziekenhuis Groep Twente, Almelo & Hengelo, the Netherlands. h.baan@zgt.nl
Hoekstra
Monique
M
Veehof
Martine
M
Van De Laar
Martin
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology