Analysis of synovitis patterns in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) supports the importance of joint-specific factors
Authors' conclusion
We identify clusters of simultaneously involved joints, supporting the importance of local factors in driving synovitis in RA.
Study context
- Population
- DMARD-naive early RA patients from the early RA (ERA) UCLouvain Brussels cohort
- Participants
- 452 patients
- Outcome
- Spatial distribution of swelling, tenderness and erosions; patterns of simultaneously-involved joint clusters
Methodological detailsprincipal component analysis, Cramer's correlation coefficients
- Principal component analysis
- Cramer's correlation coefficients
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Joint clusters with significant simultaneous involvement (swelling and tenderness)
- 3 joint clusters identified: (i) MTP1-5 joints, (ii) hand joints (MCPs and PIPs), (iii) larger joints
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Bone erosions, clinical features and methotrexate response by cluster · 6 months
- Clusters associated with different susceptibility to bone erosions and distinct clinical features
- Similar local response (joint swelling resolution) to MTX across clusters
Original publication
Analysis of synovitis patterns in early RA supports the importance of joint-specific factors. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 31 July 2024. doi:10.
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