A global OMERACT ultrasound joint damage scoring system (GLODS) in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors' conclusion
Ultrasound is a reliable tool for evaluating bone erosions, cartilage change, and joint malalignment in the hand joints of patients with RA. These features can be reliably integrated into a global ultrasound score.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); MCP joints 1 to 5 of 7 patients scanned twice on the same day by 7 task force members
- Participants
- 7 examiners
- Outcome
- Intraobserver and interobserver reliability (weighted kappa) of the GLODS and its components (bone erosions, cartilage change, joint malalignment)
Methodological detailsDelphi survey, web-based exercises, live patient-based exercise, Delphi agreement defined as ≥75% of grades 4-5 on a 1-5 Likert scale
- Delphi survey
- Web-based exercises
- Live patient-based exercise
- Delphi agreement defined as ≥75% of grades 4-5 on a 1-5 Likert scale
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Reliability (weighted kappa)
- Delphi agreement on statements (4 rounds)
- 9
- Individual components, intra- and interobserver, web-based exercises
- 0.72-0.97
- Individual components, intra- and interobserver, live exercises
- 0.68-0.89
- Total GLODS, intraobserver (excellent)
- 0.92
- Total GLODS, interobserver (good)
- 0.69
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
A global OMERACT ultrasound joint damage scoring system (GLODS) in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 1 August 2026. doi:10.
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