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Musculoskeletal ultrasonography in routine rheumatology practice: data from Central and Eastern European countries.
- Source :
- Rheumatology International; Jun2016, Vol. 36 Issue 6, p845-854, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- The main aim was to gain structured insight into the use of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) in routine rheumatology practices in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. In a cross-sectional, observational, international, multicenter survey, a questionnaire was sent to investigational sites in CEE countries. Data on all subsequent routine MSUS examinations, site characteristics, MSUS equipment, and investigators were collected over 6 months or up to 100 examinations per center. A total of 95 physicians at 44 sites in 9 countries provided information on a total of 2810 MSUS examinations. The most frequent diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (34.8 and 14.9 % of cases, respectively). Mean number of joints examined was 6.8. MSUS was most frequently performed for diagnostic purposes (58 %), particularly in patients with undifferentiated arthritis, suspected soft tissue disorders, or osteoarthritis (73.0-85.3 %). In RA patients, 56.3 % of examinations were conducted to monitor disease activity. Nearly all investigations (99 %) had clinical implications, while the results of 78.6 % of examinations (51.6-99.0 %) were deemed useful for patient education. This first standardized multicountry survey performed in CEEs provided a structured documentation of the routine MSUS use in participating countries. The majority of MSUS examinations were performed for diagnostic purposes, whereas one-third was conducted to monitor disease activity in RA. A majority of examinations had an impact on clinical decision making and were also found to be useful for patient education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01728172
- Volume :
- 36
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Rheumatology International
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 115462790
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-016-3442-2