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Introduction: Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) is a rarer form of osteoarthritis (OA) and more aggressive, damaging cartilage and bone and leading to joint deformities. A nitrogen-free bisphosphonate, clodronate, may have a positive impact on treating EOA. Anti-inflammatory, osteoclast-inhibiting, chondrogenesis, bone resorption inhibition, and pain control make clodronate a promising EOA treatment. Aims and objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of intramuscular administration of clodronate infusion in the treatment of EOA. Method: A systematic review was performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of clodronate in the treatment of EOA. To find relevant material about the efficacy of injectable clodronate in the treatment of EOA, a systematic search was undertaken on PubMed and Google Scholar with Boolean operators and specific keywords, including "clodronate, erosive osteoarthritis, and osteoarthritis.". Result: The studies on clodronate for EOA reveal promising clinical analgesic properties, increased hand strength, and radiological outcomes that eventually lead to pain relief and improved physical and mental health. Some studies found clodronate to be effective in preventing bone marrow lesions and reducing cartilage degradation. The studies show a generally low risk of bias across key domains. Selection bias is well-controlled, with only a few exceptions. Performance bias is effectively managed in all studies. Detection bias is mostly low-risk, with a few exceptions. Attrition bias is well-addressed, though a couple of studies raise concerns. Other biases vary. Recruitment bias, baseline imbalance, and loss of clusters are rare. Incorrect analysis is seldom seen. Overall, the studies demonstrate high methodological rigor, instilling confidence in their findings' validity and reliability. Conclusion: The study has concluded that clodronate can effectively alleviate pain, reduce the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, and prevent articular degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation for suspected inflammatory arthritis as a cause for chronic extremity joint pain often relies on imaging. It is essential that imaging results are interpreted in the context of clinical and serologic results to add specificity because there is significant overlap of imaging findings among the various types of arthritis. This document provides recommendations for imaging evaluation of specific types of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondyloarthropathy, gout, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate disease (or pseudogout), and erosive osteoarthritis. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the metabolic syndrome (MetS) association with radiographic and symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (HOA).Methods: Using 1:2 propensity score matching for relevant confounders, we included 2509 participants (896 MetS positive and 1613 MetS negative) from the Osteoarthritis Initiative dataset. MetS and its components, according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria, were extracted from baseline data, and included hypertension, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. We scored distinct hand joints based on the modified Kellgren-Lawrence (mKL) grade of baseline radiographs, with HOA defined as mKL ≥ 2. In the cross-sectional analysis, we investigated the association between MetS and its components with radiographic HOA and the presence of nodal and erosive HOA phenotypes using regression models. In the longitudinal analysis, we performed Cox regression analysis for hand pain incidence in follow-up visits.Results: MetS was associated with higher odds of radiographic HOA, including the number of joints with OA (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.08-1.62), the sum of joints mKLs (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.24-4.71), mainly in distal interphalangeal joints (DIPs) and proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPs; OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.08-2.14 and OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.09-1.75, respectively), but not metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and first carpometacarpal (CMC1) joints. Hand pain incidence during follow-up was higher with MetS presence (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.47). The erosive HOA phenotype and joints' nodal involvement were more frequent with MetS (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.01-1.97 and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02-1.60, respectively).Conclusion: MetS, a potentially modifiable risk factor, is associated with radiographic DIP and PIP OA and longitudinal hand pain incidence while sparing MCPs and CMC1s. Nodal and erosive HOA phenotypes are associated with MetS, suggestive of possible distinct pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the world. Some researchers call the small joints of the hands as being one of the most common sites of involvement in OA. Its most severe phenotype is considered to be inflammatory, or erosive, OA (EOA). Nevertheless, the radiographic pattern of this disease has not yet been sufficiently studied, and whether EOA is an independent form of OA, a regular later stage of the disease or an individual nosological entity, has not yet been resolved.Objective: to assess the location, frequency, and severity of radiographic symptoms and pain in patients with EOA and non-erosive OA (NEOA), to study the involvement of carpometacarpal (CMC), wrist, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and radiocarpal (RC) joints in the pathological process in patients with EOA and NEOA of the hands.Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 64 women with hand OA who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) OA criteria. Hand joint images in the anteroposterior projection were first performed in all the patients. Each patient completed the AUSCAN questionnaire. The images were described according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification. The mean age of the patients was 65.28+6.82 years; the age at onset of the disease was 48.81+7.73 years; its median OA duration was 15.0 [10.0; 19.5] years. According to the presence of erosions in the interphalangeal joints (IPJ) of the hand, the patients were divided into two groups: 1) EOA (n=23); 2) NEOA (n=37). Both groups were matched for age and disease duration (the mean age of patients with EOA was 68+6.15 years, the mean disease duration was 18.34+7.11 years; these in the NEOA group were 65.13+5.43 and 16.56+8.4 years, respectively). For age matching, 4 patients were excluded from Group 2.Results and discussion. Kellgren and Lawrence Stage II hand OA was detected most frequently (49%) and the most common radiographic symptoms of OA in the distal IPJ (DIPJ), proximal IPJ (PIPJ) and MCP joints were joint space narrowing (JSN) (100%, 100%, and 95%, respectively) and osteophytes (OPs) (88%, 70%, and 45% respectively). The least common conditions were subchondral osteosclerosis (SCOS) (5%), erosions (8%), and subluxations (3%) in the MCP joints, as well as subluxations in the PIPJ (6%). In the wrist, the most frequent sites of involvement was first CMCJ and scaphoid-trapezium-trapezoid joint (STTJ); their JSN was identified in 86 and 69% of patients, respectively; OPs were found respectively in 81 and 50% of cases. Changes in the RC joint (RCJ) were least common.EOA of the DIPJ and PIPJ was found in 15 (23%) patients with radiographic changes corresponding to Stages III—IV OA of the hand and in 8 (12%) patients with Stage II according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification. The DIPJ in EOA versus NEOA showed significantly higher frequency of OPs (100 and 78%), SCOS (74 and 11%), cysts (61 and 24%), and subluxations (43 and 14%); the PIPJ — SCOS (43 and 5%), cysts (52 and 27%), and subluxations (17 and 0%; p

Abstract Background The aims of this study were to analyse the serum concentrations of clusterin (CLU) in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) and in healthy controls, to compare CLU levels between patients with erosive and non-erosive disease, and to examine the association of CLU levels with clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods A total of 135 patients with hand OA (81 with erosive and 54 with non-erosive disease) and 53 healthy individuals were included in this study. All patients underwent clinical and hand joint ultrasound examination. The Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) hand osteoarthritis index, algofunctional index and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for the measurement of pain were assessed. Serum levels of CLU were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Serum levels of CLU were significantly lower in patients with hand OA than in control subjects (p

Background Clinical assessments and uniplanar images in temporomandibular disorders are not always entirely reliable. This predicament is especially important when clinicians need to determine the nature of temporomandibular joint disease, particularly when clinical features are not helpful in determining the diagnosis.Clinical presentation A 63-year-old female patient presented with mild pain in her right TMJ. During routine imaging exams, a destructive monoarticular arthritis was noticed, producing multiple erosions of the mandibular and temporal condyles. In addition, attrition of the ceiling of the glenoid fossa was observed, generating a communication with the endocranium. Only the presumptive biological behavior revealed on TMJ imaging and the appearance of the psoriatic plaques later during follow-up helped the authors to narrow the differential diagnosis.Conclusion The clinical case presented illustrates the difficulties in diagnosing an erosive, seronegative TMJ destruction, suggestive of a systemic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate serum levels of visfatin, resistin and adiponectin in patients with erosive (E) and non-erosive (NE) osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand (HOA) compared to normal controls (NC). Methods: 94 outpatients with E HOA and NE HOA and 21 NC were enrolled. The radiological assessment of both hands was performed according to the Kellgren-Lawrence and Kallman score. Patients were divided into two subsets (lone HOA or generalized OA) based on clinically OA involvement of knee and hip. Serum visfatin, resistin and adiponectin levels were determined by ELISA assay. Results: Visfatin was significantly higher in E HOA patients in comparison to NC and NE HOA group. Resistin showed a significant increase in both E HOA and NE HOA groups versus NC, in particular in generalized OA. No significant differences among groups were found in adiponectin. The Kallman score was more severe in the two subsets of E HOA patients compared to NE HOA. Conclusions: This study showed increased levels of resistin in erosive and non-erosive HOA, and higher visfatin levels in E HOA in comparison to NE HOA. These data suggest the adipokines possible role in the pathogenesis of HOA and their potential usefulness as biomarkers of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) is a commonly invoked diagnosis representing an important variant of hand osteoarthritis (OA). There is increasing literature on the prevalence, risk factors, etiology, and management of EOA. Methods We systematically reviewed the literature to assess variability in the diagnostic definitions used to define EOA in these studies. Results We reviewed 336 articles and found 62 articles citing diagnostic definitions for EOA. Radiographic appearance was the most commonly used criterion, but there was little agreement on the details or extent of the radiographic changes. Overall, 56 of the 62 studies included clinical features in the diagnostic definitions, yet these features varied considerably. Exclusion criteria were mentioned in 43 of the studies. Conclusion Based on the widely disparate definitions of EOA, we urge caution in interpretation of this literature, and propose that further understanding of EOA will require consensus on its definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify prognostic factors of erosive progression in hand osteoarthritis (OA).Method: One hundred and fifty-four patients with hand OA were selected from an earlier cohort. X-rays, clinical and demographic data at baseline were present. All patients were seen for a follow-up between January and March 2014. Interphalangeal (IP) finger joints were scored on both radiographs using the anatomical scoring system. Radiographic progression was defined as a joint progressing from at least one anatomical phase, excluding the progression from a 'Normal' to 'Stationary' phase. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of potential clinical and radiographic prognostic factors were calculated on joint, hand and patient level with a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model.Results: Radiographic progression, including progression from 'N' to 'S' phase, was present in 1014 of 2750 joints (36.9%) after a mean follow-up of 5.8 years. On joint level, the following clinical factors were associated with radiographic progression (OR [95% CI]): presence of pain (1.48 [1.01-2.15]), tenderness (2.18 [1.56-3.05]), and soft tissue swelling (2.56 [1.54-4.24]). The following radiographic variables were significantly associated with erosive progression: presence of 'J' (16.74 [9.09-30.83]) and 'E' phase (76.34 [42.17-138.23]). On hand and patient level, soft tissue swelling, 'J' and 'E' phase were retained as prognostic factors.Conclusion: Pain, tenderness, soft tissue swelling, 'J' and 'E' phase were significantly associated with erosive progression in hand OA. These prognostic factors should be confirmed in further studies and considered when selecting patients for therapeutic trials with potential disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMODs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease frequently affecting middle-aged women. Prevalence estimates for OA vary widely depending on the age and sex of the population studied, the assessment tools used, and the specific joint sites analyzed OA is characterized by the degradation of articular cartilage, subchondral bone changes and osteophyte formation at the joint margins leading to joint failure. The pathogenesis of the disease and its evolution are multifactorial involving biomechanical, metabolic, hormonal, and genetic factors. Moreover, the role of inflammation has recently been advanced as pivotal in OA onset and progression. In particular, an uncommon variant of hand OA, erosive hand OA, is characterized by inflammatory and degenerative interphalangeal proximal and distal joints. The diagnosis of different types of hand OA is centered on clinical and laboratory investigations which can distinguish the peculiar aspects of these forms. Joint and bone assessments in hand OA are widely studied but there is no agreement with regard to established parameters to make a definitive diagnosis. This report focuses on the laboratory and clinimetric assessments that can be used to distinguish hand OA subtypes and addresses the debatable association with low bone mineral density in osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) is defined as hand osteoarthritis (OA) with interphalangeal joint erosions on plain radiographs. We sought to find ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that could distinguish EOA from nodal hand OA (NOA). Symptomatic consecutive patients with hand OA as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria (13 EOA patients as defined by erosion in ≥1 interphalangeal joint and seven nodal OA patients) and five normal individuals were examined by plain radiography, US, and MRI. Patients and controls underwent evaluation of metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints by US, and all fingers from second to fifth digit by MRI. A total of 240 joints in symptomatic patients were examined by both imaging modalities. Synovitis, osteophytes, cartilage loss, and erosions were frequently detected in the joints of patients with EOA and NOA. Six of seven patients with NOA had joint erosions that were seen on MRI or US scan but seen on plain radiographs. The overall concordance between MRI and US findings was substantial for osteophytes ( κ = 0.79) and excellent for cysts ( κ = 0.85), erosions ( κ = 0.84), synovitis ( κ = 0.82), and tenosynovitis ( κ = 0.83) in both groups. Inflammatory changes, such as effusions and synovitis, and structural changes, such as erosions, were frequently detected by US and MRI in EOA and nodal OA. These findings may support the hypothesis that EOA could not be a separate entity but may represent the severe end of the spectrum of hand OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the value of 3 T dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI for assessment of synovitis of the interphalangeal joints in patients with erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) for treatment response monitoring. Materials and methods: The interphalangeal joints of fingers two to five were examined at 3 T MRI in nine patients with EOA. Two musculoskeletal radiologists recorded erosions, bone marrow oedema (BME), synovitis and osteophytes. Interobserver reliability was calculated using κ statistics. In six patients, DCE-MRI time intensity curves of synovitis in two affected joints were analysed. The maximum upslope, absolute and relative enhancement of synovitis were compared with MRI after 12 months of anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment. Intraobserver reproducibility was calculated using intra-class correlation coefficient. Results: Interobserver reliability was 'good' for detection of erosions (κ = 0.70), BME (κ = 0.77) and synovitis (κ = 0.77), but 'poor' for osteophytes (κ = 0.12). Post-treatment DCE-MRI showed decreasing maximum upslope ( p = 0.002) and absolute ( p = 0.002) and relative ( p = 0.01) enhancement compared to the initial scan. Intraobserver reproducibility of DCE-MRI was 'almost perfect' or 'strong' for all parameters. Conclusions: 3 T DCE-MRI demonstrates changes in time intensity curves of synovitis in EOA of the interphalangeal joints in a longitudinal study, indicating this technique is promising for monitoring therapy response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This review focuses on biomarkers in erosive hand osteoarthritis (EHOA), a subset of hand osteoarthritis (HOA), that primarily affects interphalangeal joints and is characterized by abrupt onset, severe pain and functional impairment, as well as signs of inflammation, in particular stiffness, swelling, erythema, paraesthesiae, and worse outcome. Inflammatory features and radiographic erosions are the main diagnostic hallmarks of this particular disease subset. As in other fields of OA, EHOA biomarkers can be classified as dry and soluble. Soluble biomarkers which are found in serum, synovial fluid and urine can be specific indicators of joint inflammation and degradation. With regard to inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein and myeloperoxidase have been found to be increased in EHOA, with respect to non-erosive HOA. All these markers have, moreover, been found to be correlated with disease activity. Another interesting marker linked to inflammation is hyaluronic acid, considered to be a marker of synovitis, which is frequently found in EHOA. The most useful cartilage markers in both erosive and non-erosive HOA, seems to be collagen (Coll) 2-1, Coll 2-1NO2 and Col2-3/4Cshort. Immunogenetic markers were also determined and an association between EHOA and a single nucleotide polymorphism on the gene encoding interleukin-1β was found in HLA and there was an increased frequency of HLA-B44 and HLA-DRB1*07 in EHOA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Erosive (E) osteoarthritis of the hand (HOA) is a subset of HOA, targeting interphalangeal joints and characterised by an abrupt onset, marked pain and functional impairment, inflammatory symptoms and signs, including stiffness, soft tissue swelling, erythema, paraesthesiae, mildly elevated C-reactive protein, and a worse outcome than non-EHOA. This subset is defined radiographically by subchondral erosion, cortical destruction and subsequent reparative change, which may include bony ankylosis. Although the presence of both clinical and radiographic aspects are very suggestive for the diagnosis in most cases, doubts have been recently raised from some studies which, by means of sensitive imaging techniques such as MRI and sonography, had found erosive changes in most patients with HOA, including those without erosions at conventional radiography, so suggesting the need of a consensus on the definition of EHOA. Since the classic treatments are in most cases disappointing, new therapies have been recently proposed in EHOA, including the anti-cytokines biologic agents. The first results seem interesting, although they require confirmation, since derived from uncontrolled studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rationale and Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic value of high-resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for assessment of synovitis in erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) of the hand and compare the results with those acquired in its potential mimic, the psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients (17 PsA, 9 EOA) were examined at 3 T. The time course of synovial contrast uptake was measured by ROI analysis using a three-dimensional encoded spoiled gradient-echo sequence. Characteristic parameters of synovial uptake curves (time to peak [TTP], peak value, mean transit time [MTT], area under the curve [AUC], and maximum upslope) of PsA and EOA patients were compared using gamma variate analysis and calculation of the late relative enhancement 15 minutes after contrast administration. Results: Enhancement curves of PsA and EOA patients paralleled each other at comparable levels in the early phase after contrast injection without statistical difference in the following calculated characteristic curve parameters: TTP, peak value, MTT, AUC, and maximum upslope. However, significant difference was found in the late relative enhancement 15 minutes after contrast injection (P = .0275) with higher values in EOA patients. Conclusion: DCE-MRI provides assessment of synovitis in both patients with EOA and PsA. Interestingly, synovial enhancement characteristics were comparable for the most part in these two disorders. However, late enhancement might help in differentiation which is essential for guiding therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) is a progressive disease affecting the interphalangeal joints of the hand. It is also known as an inflammatory form of osteoarthritis. Pain, swelling, redness, warmth and limited function of the hand joints are commonly found in most patients with or without Heberden and Bouchard's nodes. Conventional radiographs of the hands show a combination of bony proliferation and erosions, which give characteristic patterns of the affected joints, known as "gull-wing" and "saw-tooth" deformities. Since there are no distinguishing laboratory findings between EOA and other common erosive interphalangeal arthropathies, radiographic features still have diagnostic value along with clinical presentation. Thus, recognition of the radiological manifestations may lessen the likelihood of misdiagnoses. A treatment-resistant case of EOA with marked and confusing inflammation is described in this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosive osteoarthritis, a less common subtype of osteoarthritis, is often described as a more severe form. This combination of cartilage degeneration with pathologic features suggestive of inflammatory synovial changes generally manifests in women around the time of menopause and hormonal levels as well as genetics are thought to play a role in its onset. The hands are most often involved with the sudden onset of palpable pain and swelling of the distal interphalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints most frequently, but other joints have been reported. Phalangeal deformities appearing as wavy or subluxed as well as Heberden and Bouchard nodes can be seen clinically. Laboratory tests for systemic inflammation are usually normal but small studies looking at markers of bone resorption have shown increased levels in these patients. Radiographs reveal central joint erosions implying an inflammatory process which has been described in synovial specimens. Treatment options that have been tried include those utilized for general osteoarthritis as well as those for rheumatoid arthritis. Since prolonged disability in hand function can occur, further studies looking at its pathogenesis and targeted treatment options are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to assess the reliability of clinical examination in patients with erosive osteoarthritis (EOA). Eighteen patients with EOA underwent clinical examination for joint tenderness, bony swelling, and inflammation by two independent, blinded assessors. All patients were also examined by ultrasound (US) by an independent radiologist. The inter-observer agreement was moderate for bony swelling and joint tenderness and fair for joint inflammation ( κ = 0.513, 0.448, and 0.402, respectively). US detected significantly more inflamed joints than clinical examination. The sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination for joint inflammation were 0.12 and 0.95, respectively. Clinical joint counts for bony swelling, tenderness, and inflammation all correlated with functional status, assessed by the functional index for hand osteoarthritis (FIHOA), whereas US joint counts for joint inflammation did not correlate with the FIHOA. No correlation was found between any clinical or US joint count and visual analog scale for pain. US detects more joints with inflammation than clinical examination in patients with EOA. US can supplement the clinical examination of patients with EOA, as US-detected subclinical joint inflammation might accelerate joint damage and thus functional impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: Erosive osteoarthritis (OA) (EOA) is considered an aggressive form of primary OA that is defined radiographically by intra-articular erosions of the inter-phalangeal joints of the hand and characteristic deformities. The aim of the present study was the sonographic investigation of hand small joints in patients with EOA and comparison of the imaging findings with conventional radiography (CR). Method: Twenty-two patients (20 women, mean age 62.5 years) with clinical and radiographic diagnosis of EOA formed our study group. A total of 660 joints were assessed by both radiographs and ultrasound (US). US and plain films were evaluated by two different physicians on a blinded fashion. Erosions, osteophytes and deformities were evaluated by both US and plain films. Synovial thickening, effusion, and power Doppler signal indicative of abnormal vascularity were recorded in each joint during US scanning. Results: Erosions were detected in 231/660 (35%) small joints by US and in 115/660 (17.4%) small joints by conventional radiographs (P <0.05). Osteophytes were detected in 360/660 (54.5%) small joints by US, and in 310/660 (47.0%) small joints by conventional radiographs (P <0.05). Thickened synovium was detected in 19 of 22 patients and increased intra-articular power Doppler signal, indicative of active inflammation, was detected in 18 of 22 patients. Thickened synovium was found in 159/660 (24.1%), effusion in 119/660 (18%) and increased power Doppler in 148/660 (22.4%) small joints. Intra-observer kappa value for agreement regarding US was 0.81 and plain films 0.86. In 31 instances extensive finger tenosynovitis was also evident. Conclusion: In patients with EOA, US is a reliable and a more sensitive imaging modality than CR in detecting erosions and osteophytes. US detects inflammatory changes in small hand joints in the vast majority of patients with EOA and suggests that current treatment modalities are inadequate treatment for this disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Our pilot study aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of intra-articular (i.a.) injections of infliximab as a therapy for erosive osteoarthritis of the hands. Ten women with bilateral involvement of the hands and typical erosive osteoarthritis radiographic findings were enrolled and followed for 12 months. All the patients were refractory to conventional drugs. Treatment consisted in monthly i.a. injections of 0.2 ml of infliximab (0.1 mg/ml) in each affected proximal and distal interphalangeal joint of the most involved hand, identified on the basis of clinical and radiological examinations. The other hand was treated with physiological saline (control). The patients did not know which hand was receiving infliximab. Clinical response was evaluated at enrollment, after 6 and 12 months. Posteroanterior radiographs of both hands were obtained at baseline and 12 months later. At 6 months all the patients experienced relief from spontaneous pain and pain on lateral pressure in the hand treated with infliximab and these findings became statistically significant after 1 year. No important modifications were recognized in the hand treated with physiological saline. The anatomical lesion progression system radiological score indicated a reduction, even if not statistically significant, in the hand treated with infliximab and a tendency to slow worsening in the hand treated with physiological saline at 12-month follow-up. No local or systemic adverse reactions were recorded. Our study shows the symptomatic effect and a possible disease modifying action of i.a. infliximab in erosive osteoarthritis of the hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish by ultrasonography (US) the frequency of calcaneal entheses involvement in erosive osteoarthritis (EOA), nodal osteoarthritis (NOA), RA and PsA, and to compare these results in order to aid clinicians in the differential diagnosis among these diseases. A comparison between US results and radiography was also made.Methods: The heels of 56 consecutive outpatients with EOA, 209 with NOA, 158 with RA and 125 with PsA were studied by US and radiography. A control group of 50 subjects was examined by US.Results: US showed no significant difference in inferior calcaneal enthesophytosis among the four diseases. The frequency of posterioinferior enthesophytosis was lower in RA (34%) in comparison with the other diseases (57% in EOA, 47% in NOA, 49% in PsA). Achilles enthesitis was found in 8% of PsA and in 2% of RA. Retrocalcaneal bursitis was found in 18% of RA and in 6% of PsA. Posterior erosions were present in 12% of RA and 5% of PsA. Inferior erosions were present in 6% of RA and in 1% of PsA. Plantar fasciitis was found in 26% of RA, in 37% of PsA, and in 15% of NOA and 12% of EOA. Subcalcaneal panniculitis was observed in 10% of RA and in 1% of PsA. In the control group, only posterioinferior and inferior enthesophytosis (22% and 18% respectively) were found. Kappa statistics show excellent agreement between US and radiography in detecting posterioinferior (kappa = 0.89) and inferior enthesophytosis (kappa = 0.83), and entheseal erosions (kappa = 0.86).Conclusions: The calcaneal lesions that could be found in EOA are similar to those observed in NOA. The frequency of calcaneal enthesophytosis is similar in EOA, NOA, and PsA, but inflammatory lesions of calcaneal entheses and of the adjacent bursae are more frequent in RA and in PsA. In terms of heel involvement, EOA seems to be similar to NOA. US shows an excellent concordance with radiography in detecting entheseal cortical bone abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Articular involvement is described in a 58-year-old female patient with scleroderma. Radiological findings included intra-articular calcification, destructive osteoarthritis and selective involvement of the first metacarpal base. The discussion attempts to explain the way in which intra-articular calcification and osteolytic lesions may appear, citing various hypotheses put forward concerning such involvement in scleroderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's disease, and multicentric reticulohistiocytosis may manifest prominent interphalangeal joint and cutaneous involvement. All three disorders may also affect the sacroiliac joints and spine. Despite these similarities, there are basic radiologic differences enabling distinction between the three disorders. Erosive osteoarthritis must also be considered in the differential diagnosis of interphalangeal erosive arthritis. Psoriatic erosions are characteristically ill defined, often bilaterally asymmetrical, usually unaccompanied by significant osteoporosis, and frequently associated with florid proliferation of subperiosteal new bone. A unilateral polyarticular pattern, which often occurs in a single ray, is the most prevalent of several patterns of involvement. Reiter's disease exhibits many clinical and radiologic similarities to psoriatic arthritis, but in the former there tends to be selective involvement of the joints of the lower limbs and particularly the feet, with relative sparing of the hands and wrists, while in the latter the joints of the upper and lower limbs tend to be involved to an equal extent. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis (MR). Lesions predominate in skin and synovium and result in sharply circumscribed, rapidly progressive, strikingly bilaterally symmetrical erosions spreading from joint margins to articular surfaces. Most or all of the diarthrodial joints may be affected, but interphalangeal joint predominance and early and sever atlanto-axial involvement are characteristic. Erosive osteoarthritis is characterized by interphalangeal subchondral erosions, accompanying periosteal new bone that is more subtle than that of psoriatic arthritis, and interphalangeal bony ankylosis that occurs with the same frequency as that of psoriatic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five patients are presented with scleroderma and unusual articular changes, consisting of deep erosions, subluxations, and bony ankylosis of the distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. Although reminiscent of the articular abnormalities observed in psoriasis and/or erosive osteoarthritis, these features are considered to represent unusual manifestations of scleroderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis of the hands is very common, particularly in elderly people. Little is known though, is the subset of erosive osteoarthritis (EOA), which predicts a poorer prognosis and causes much more discomfort. Even less known is the fact that this subset can evolve into spontaneous ankylosis. We describe eight women (average age 62.6, range 54-74 years) with EOA and spontaneous ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and/or distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. In total, 21 PIP joints (0-7 per patient) were found with EOA and nine PIP joints (0-3 per patient) with ankylosis. In one patient, ankylosis of the PIP was already seen at the first presentation. In the other cases, it took an average of 77.4 months (range 34-119) for EOA to develop into ankylosis of the PIP. For DIP joints, the numbers were 17 joints (1-4 per patient) with EOA and three joints (0-1 per patient) with ankylosis, respectively. In one patient, ankylosis of the DIP was already seen at the first presentation. Ankylosis was found significantly more often on the left hand ( n = 10) compared to the right hand ( n = 2; p < 0.0005), while all the patients were right handed. No difference in handedness was found for the occurrence of EOA. Although rare, PIP or DIP joint with EOA can-over the course of several painful years-develop into a spontaneous pain-free ankylosis. Ankylosis was more commonly found in the left hand than in the right hand, probably due right handedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Erosive osteoarthritis is considered an unusual disease, mostly developing among women. The typical locations are the interphalangeal joints of the hands. However, on a few occasions it has also been found in hips, shoulders and feet. We describe two patients (one woman and one man) who have this disease in their feet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: Osteoarthritis of the hands is a very common disease that can present a large number of different clinic pictures, such as nodal (NOA) and erosive (EOA) forms. EOA in particular is a rare subset of hand osteoarthritis characterised by faster destructive changes involving the distal interphalangeal (DIP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. In the early stages of the disease the differential diagnosis from other arthritides, such as rheumatoid or seronegative arthritis, may pose a challenge. Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive technique that allows the in vivo study of the microvascular environment. In this study the authors have compared the capillaroscopic microvascular patterns in 56 patients with EOA, in 46 patients with NOA, and in 50 normal controls. The abnormalities that could be found in EOA patients were similar to those described by some authors in patients with psoriatic arthritis. The authors discuss the significance of these abnormalities and the possible relationship between EOA and psoriatic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]