Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Combined radiographic and US evaluations to decipher joint involvement in the hands of patients with SSc
Authors' conclusion
Our study confirms that osteophytosis is a significant contributor of joint involvement in SSc patients based on real life data. After exclusion of potential confounders, >10% of SSc patients still had active synovitis and/or tenosynovitis on US, providing indirect evidence for the existence of a specific SSc-related synovial and/or tenosynovial involvement.
Study context
- Population
- SSc patients with hand manifestations (vascular, skin or joint) who underwent standard X-rays of both hands and hand US
- Participants
- 171 patients
- Outcome
- Active synovitis and/or tenosynovitis on US and associated characteristics
Methodological detailsblinded US evaluator, two independent X-ray evaluators, multivariate analysis
- Blinded US evaluator
- Two independent X-ray evaluators
- Multivariate analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- CRP > 10 mg/l
- P = 0.013
- Fibrotic tenosynovitis on US
- P = 0.005
- Anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies
- P = 0.043
- Poly-osteophytosis on hand X-rays
- P = 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Active synovitis and/or tenosynovitis on US after exclusion of RA (n = 5) and/or poly-osteophytosis (n = 53)
- Remaining patients with active synovitis and/or tenosynovitis
- 14 (12.7%)
- Associated: scleroderma renal crisis
- P = 0.012
- Associated: fibrotic tenosynovitis on US
- P < 0.001
- Multivariate analyses
Original publication
Combined radiographic and US evaluations to decipher joint involvement in the hands of patients with SSc. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 29 October 2024. doi:10.
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