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Objective: To standardize and assess the reliability of ultrasonographic assessment of inflammatory and structural lesions in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Ultrasound Working Group selected synovial hypertrophy (SH), joint effusion (JE), and power Doppler (PD) signals as the main inflammatory lesions in hand OA, and suggested osteophytes in the scapho‐trapezio‐trapezoid (STT) and cartilage defects in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints as novel additions to previous structural scoring systems. A complementary imaging atlas provided detailed examples of the scores. A reliability exercise of static images was performed for the inflammatory features, followed by a patient‐based exercise with 6 sonographers testing inflammatory and structural features in 12 hand OA patients. We used Cohen's kappa for intrareader and Light's kappa for interreader reliability for all features except PD, in which prevalence‐adjusted bias‐adjusted kappa (PABAK) was applied. Percentage agreement was also assessed. Results: The web‐based reliability exercise demonstrated substantial intra‐ and interreader reliability for all inflammatory features (κ > 0.64). In the patient‐based exercise, intra‐ and interreader reliability, respectively, varied: SH κ = 0.73 and 0.45; JE κ = 0.70 and 0.55; PD PABAK = 0.90 and 0.88; PIP joint cartilage κ = 0.56 and 0.45; and STT osteophytes κ = 0.62 and 0.36. Percentage close agreement was high for all features (>85%). Conclusion: With ultrasound, substantial to excellent intrareader reliability was found for inflammatory features of hand OA. Interreader reliability was moderate, but overall high close agreement between readers suggests that better reliability is achievable after further training. Assessment of osteophytes in the STT joint and cartilage in the PIP joints achieved less reliability and the latter is not endorsed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association of body mass index (BMI) with pain in people with hand osteoarthritis (OA), and explore whether this association, if causal, is mediated by systemic inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: In 281 Nor‐Hand study participants, we estimated associations between BMI and hand pain, as measured by the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN; range 0–20) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; range 0–10); foot pain, as measured by NRS (range 0–10); knee/hip pain, as measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; range 0–20); painful total body joint count; and pain sensitization. We fit natural‐effects models to estimate natural direct and natural indirect effects of BMI on pain through inflammatory biomarkers. Results: Each 5‐unit increase in BMI was associated with more severe hand pain (on average increased AUSCAN by 0.64 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.23, 1.08]), foot pain (on average increased NRS by 0.65 [95% CI 0.36, 0.92]), knee/hip pain (on average increased WOMAC by 1.31 [95% CI 0.87, 1.73]), generalized pain, and pain sensitization. Mediation analyses suggested that the effects of BMI on hand pain and painful total body joint count were partially mediated by leptin and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), respectively. Effect sizes for mediation by leptin were larger for the hands than for the lower extremities, and were statistically significant for the hands only. Conclusion: In people with hand OA, higher BMI is associated with greater pain severity in the hands, feet, and knees/hips. Systemic effects of obesity, measured by leptin, may play a larger mediating role for pain in the hands than in the lower extremities. Low‐grade inflammation, measured by hsCRP, may contribute to generalized pain in overweight/obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore whether ultrasound‐detected gray‐scale synovitis and power Doppler activity in the interphalangeal and first carpometacarpal (CMC1) joints are associated with pain and physical function in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: A total of 290 patients with hand OA underwent an ultrasound examination of the bilateral interphalangeal and CMC1 joints. Using logistic regression analyses with generalized estimating equations, we examined whether grade 0–3 gray‐scale synovitis and power Doppler activity were associated with pain in the same joint. Using linear regression analyses, we examined whether the degree of inflammation was associated with numeric rating scale and Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) Osteoarthritis Hand Index hand pain, AUSCAN physical function, and grip strength scores. Analyses were made separately for interphalangeal and CMC1 joints, and adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, psychosocial factors, use of analgesics, and presence of osteophytes. Results: At joint level, increasing gray‐scale synovitis severity was associated with higher odds of pain upon palpation in both the interphalangeal (grade 2–3; odds ratio [OR] 3.17 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.35, 4.28]) and CMC1 joints (grade 2–3; OR 4.40 [95% CI 2.10, 9.24]). Similar associations were found for power Doppler activity and joint pain in the previous 24 hours and 6 weeks. Power Doppler activity in CMC1 was also related to overall hand pain/physical function and lower grip strength. Conclusion: Inflammation in both the interphalangeal and CMC1 joints was associated with pain in the same joint. However, associations with hand pain, reduced physical function, and lower grip strength were only present for inflammation in the CMC1 joints, suggesting that lowering CMC1 inflammation is an important treatment target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The tender joint count (TJC) is included in composite disease activity scores (CDAS) (the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, the Clinical Disease Activity Index, and the Simplified Disease Activity Index). The impact of having predominantly tender joints was explored by use of the Tender-Swollen Joint Count Difference (TSJD), and ultrasound (US) provided a measure of joint inflammation. The current study aimed to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the TSJD and a spectrum of outcome measures, including US scores in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during follow-up and while receiving treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).Methods: This was an observational study of 209 patients with established RA consecutively included upon initiation of bDMARD treatment and followed-up with clinical, laboratory, and comprehensive US examinations at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: those with predominantly tender joints (TSJD >0) and those with predominantly swollen joints (TSJD ≤0). Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation coefficient, an independent samples t-test, and regression analyses.Results: The TJC had high correlations only with patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) (P < 0.001). Levels from CDAS and PROMs were significantly higher (P < 0.001) at all visits in patients with TSJD >0 compared to those with TSJD <0. Laboratory markers and assessor's global visual analog scale scores were similar, and US sum scores were significantly lower (P < 0.001-0.03). The baseline TSJD positively predicted levels of all CDAS at 6 months (P < 0.001-0.019) but was a negative predictor of US sum scores (gray-scale and power Doppler) at 6 and 12 months (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Patients with predominantly tender joints had higher CDAS but lower levels of inflammation as defined by US. These findings indicate that inclusion of the TJC in the CDAS may contribute to misleading information about inflammatory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Intraarticular glucocorticoid injections are common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. This study was undertaken to investigate whether ultrasound in combination with clinical examination is better than clinical examination alone at identifying joints that will benefit from intraarticular injections, and to compare the efficacy of ultrasound‐guided versus palpation‐guided procedures. Methods: In the treat‐to‐target Aiming for Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Randomised Trial Examining the Benefit of Ultrasonography in a Clinical Tight Control Regimen (ARCTIC), patients with early RA were randomized 1:1 to follow‐up with or without ultrasound. In addition to disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs, intraarticular glucocorticoids were used to treat inflamed joints. The distribution of injections was assessed in both study groups. The relationship of clinical and ultrasound findings at the time of injection with treatment efficacy was examined, with non‐swollen joint at the next visit as the outcome measure. Treatment success was compared across study groups to evaluate ultrasound‐guided versus palpation‐guided procedures. Results: More injections were administered in the ultrasound group than in the conventional strategy group (n = 770 versus 548), especially in intercarpal joints (n = 58 versus 5) and metatarsophalangeal joints (n = 200 versus 104). Injecting clinically swollen joints without power Doppler (PD) activity on ultrasound was not efficacious compared to not injecting (odds ratio [OR] 1.3; P = 0.59). Efficacy was best in swollen joints (OR 9.0; P = 0.001) and non‐swollen joints (OR 8.4; P = 0.016) with moderate PD activity. Treatment success was similar for the ultrasound‐guided and palpation‐guided procedures. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the efficacy of intraarticular glucocorticoid injections varies according to ultrasound findings at the time of injection, supporting the use of ultrasound as a tool to select joints that will benefit from intraarticular injections. However, ultrasound needle guidance was not superior to palpation guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pain catastrophizing is conceptualized as a negative cognitive-affective response to anticipated or actual pain and has been associated with important pain-related outcomes. The objective of this prospective study of established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients was to explore how pain catastrophizing was related to patient-reported outcomes (PROs), composite scores, and assessments of inflammatory activity.Methods: RA patients starting biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were examined at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months with PROs (joint pain/patient's global visual analog scale [VAS], modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease score), clinical and laboratory assessments (tender/swollen joint count, assessor's global VAS, erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein [CRP] level), ultrasound (US) (gray scale [GS]/power Doppler [PD] of 36 joints and 4 tendons), and pain catastrophizing. The composite scores for Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, Clinical Disease Activity Index, and Simplified Disease Activity Index were calculated. Statistical calculations included independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlations, and linear and logistic regression.Results: Of 209 patients included, 152 (72.7%) completed 12-month followup. Pain catastrophizing, PROs, and clinical and inflammatory assessments decreased significantly (P < 0.001). Pain catastrophizing was strongly correlated with the PROs and composite scores (P < 0.001) but not with the inflammatory parameters (swollen joint count, CRP level, and GS/PD US). Patients with higher levels of pain catastrophizing had higher PROs and composite scores during the study (P < 0.001) but not inflammatory assessments. Baseline pain catastrophizing was negatively associated with achievement of remission at 6 and 12 months (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Pain catastrophizing was strongly associated with PROs and composite measures, but not with markers of inflammation. High levels of pain catastrophizing reduced the likelihood of achieving composite score remission and should be a factor to consider in a treat-to-target strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To perform external validation of a provisional definition of disease flare in patients with gout. Methods: Five hundred nine patients with gout were enrolled in a cross‐sectional study during a routine clinical care visit at 17 international sites. Data were collected to classify patients as experiencing or not experiencing a gout flare, according to a provisional definition. A local expert rheumatologist performed the final independent adjudication of gout flare status. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the diagnostic performance of gout flare definitions. Results: The mean ± SD age of the patients was 57.5 ± 13.9 years, and 89% were male. The definition requiring fulfillment of at least 3 of 4 criteria (patient‐defined gout flare, pain at rest score of >3 on a 0–10‐point numerical rating scale, presence of at least 1 swollen joint, and presence of at least 1 warm joint) was 85% sensitive and 95% specific in confirming the presence of a gout flare, with an accuracy of 92%. The ROC area under the curve was 0.97. The definition based on a classification and regression tree algorithm (entry point, pain at rest score >3, followed by patient‐defined flare “yes”) was 73% sensitive and 96% specific. Conclusion: The definition of gout flare that requires fulfillment of at least 3 of 4 patient‐reported criteria is now validated to be sensitive, specific, and accurate for gout flares, as demonstrated using an independent large international patient sample. The availability of a validated gout flare definition will improve the ascertainment of an important clinical outcome in studies of gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]