title: Value of High-frequency Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Nerve Compression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.
abstract: Objective To evaluate the value of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) in diagnosing peripheral nerve compression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The upper limb nerves were evaluated by HFUS in 80 RA patients (RA group) and 60 non-RA patients (control group),then the incidence of peripheral nerve compression was recorded respectively. RA patients with/without neurological symptoms were compared in terms of age,disease course,Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) score,and clinical disease activity index (CDAI). Results The incidence of upper limb nerve compression in RA group was significantly higher than that in control group(15.0% vs. 3.3%,P=0.046).The patients with nerve compression was older [(60.2±11.4)y vs.(49.2±7.9)y;t=2.343,P=0.039] and had longer disease course [(9.50±5.99) y vs. (5.88±3.87)y;t=2.639,P=0.023] and higher HAQ-DI score (1.58±0.75 vs.0.85±0.67;t=2.490,P=0.030). These two groups had no statistical differences in CDAI (14.50±11.68 vs.16.62±9.24;t=1.141,P=0.278).Conclusions Peripheral neuropathies are common extra-articular manifestations in RA patients. HFUS can be valuable in patients suspected of RA.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Ultrasound,Ordos Hospital,Ordos,Inner Mongolia 017010,China;
authors.forename: Pei-sen
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Rheumatology,Ordos Hospital,Ordos,Inner Mongolia 017010,China
authors.forename: Shui-ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Ultrasound,Ordos Hospital,Ordos,Inner Mongolia 017010,China;
authors.forename: Lei
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Ultrasound,Ordos Hospital,Ordos,Inner Mongolia 017010,China;
authors.forename: Zhi-hui
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Ultrasound,Ordos Hospital,Ordos,Inner Mongolia 017010,China;
authors.forename: Shu-min
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography