Utility of applying a diagnostic algorithm in giant cell arteritis based on the level of clinical suspicion.

Introduction: To reach the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA), signs, symptoms, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and occasionally anatomopathological results from temporal artery biopsy are evaluated. This study describes the results of an algorithm analysis based on clinical and ultrasound evaluation of patients with suspected GCA, highlighting its diagnostic utility by contrasting its use in different clinical suspicion scenarios.

Method: Prospective multicenter study evaluating patients referred with suspected GCA through a preferential circuit (fast track), grouping them according to low or high clinical suspicion of GCA.

Ultrasonography in rheumatology: time to learn from patient views.

Objective: The objective of this observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study was to assess the perceived quality and grade of satisfaction expressed by patients with chronic arthropathies regarding the use of musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasonography by rheumatologists as an integrated clinical care tool.

Methods: All Spanish rheumatology departments with MSK ultrasonography incorporated in their healthcare services were invited to participate in the study. A Spanish-language survey was offered to fill out anonymously to all consecutive patients with chronic arthropathies under follow-up in the rheumatology outpatient clinics who attended their centre for a period of 3 months.

A Thermographic Disease Activity Index for remote assessment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Remote assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has increased during recent years. However, telematic consultations preclude the possibility of carrying out a physical examination and obtaining objective inflammation. In this study, we developed and validated two novel composite disease activity indexes (Thermographic Disease Activity Index (ThermoDAI) and ThermoDAI-CRP) based on thermography of hands and machine learning, in order to assess disease activity easily, rapidly and without formal joint counts.

Assessment of inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using thermography and machine learning: a fast and automated technique.

Objectives: Sensitive detection of joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is crucial to the success of the treat-to-target strategy. In this study, we characterise a novel machine learning-based computational method to automatically assess joint inflammation in RA using thermography of the hands, a fast and non-invasive imaging technique.

Methods: We recruited 595 patients with arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as healthy subjects at two hospitals over 4 years.

Measuring inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis with a new clinical and ultrasound index: development and initial validation.

With the aim to develop and validate a clinical + ultrasound (US) inflammation score in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for use in clinical practice, a mixed-method study was conducted. The theoretical development of the index was achieved with qualitative methodology (discussion group and Delphi survey). Subsequently, a cross-sectional study was carried out to analyse issues related to scoring and validation of the new index.

Improvement in Diagnosis and Treat-to-Target Management of Hyperuricemia in Gout: Results from the GEMA-2 Transversal Study on Practice.

Introduction: The objective of the study was to evaluate changes regarding main European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations on diagnosis and treatment of gout compared to a previous assessment.

Methods: The GEMA-2 (Gout Evaluation and MAnagement) is a transversal assessment of practice for gout by rheumatologists. Main outcome variables were improvement of the previous GEMA assessment regarding the rate of crystal-proven diagnosis and that reaching therapeutic serum urate target below 6 mg/dl at last visit.

Axial involvement according to ASAS criteria in an observational psoriatic arthritis cohort.

The definition of axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is still under debate. Currently, the axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) criteria defined by Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) may be the most adequate.(1) The aims of present study were to assess axial involvement according to ASAS criteria in an observational PsA cohort and define the clinical characteristics more associated with this kind of involvement.

Three-dimensional volumetric ultrasound: a valid method for blinded assessment of response to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To assess the responsiveness and repeatability of volumetric power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) evaluation of synovitis and bone erosions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Twenty-three patients with RA (19 women, mean age 52.7 ± 12.

A multicentre study on high-frequency ultrasound evaluation of the skin and joints in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with infliximab.

Objectives: Our objective was to describe the ultrasound features of patients with PsA in joints and skin and their changes after treatment with infliximab.

Methods: Eight hospitals recruited PsA active patients. Clinical (joint count for pain, TJC, and swelling, SJC, pain VAS, ESR, C-reactive protein and PASI) and US variables (plaque thickness, PD signal of dermal lesions, synovitis, erosions, and PD signal, assessed by 4-category ordinal scales) were independently recorded at baseline and 4, 12 and 24-week after starting treatment with infliximab.

High prevalence of ultrasonographic synovitis and enthesopathy in patients with psoriasis without psoriatic arthritis: a prospective case-control study.

Objective: To investigate the presence of synovitis, tenosynovitis and enthesitis with power Doppler (PD) ultrasonography (US) in patients with psoriasis without musculoskeletal diseases as compared with controls with other skin diseases without musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: A total of 162 patients with plaque psoriasis and 60 age-matched controls with other skin diseases, all without musculoskeletal diseases, were prospectively recruited at 14 centres. They underwent dermatological and rheumatological assessment and a blinded PDUS evaluation.

Validity, reproducibility, and responsiveness of a twelve-joint simplified power doppler ultrasonographic assessment of joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the validity, reproducibility, and responsiveness of a simplified power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) assessment of joint inflammation compared with a comprehensive 44-joint PDUS assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who started therapy with a biologic agent.

Methods: A total of 160 patients with active RA who started a biologic agent were prospectively recruited in 18 Spanish centers. The patients underwent clinical and laboratory assessment and blinded PDUS examination at baseline and 6 months.