The influence of long distance running on sonographic joint and tendon pathology: results from a prospective study with marathon runners.

Background: The impact of physical exercise on joints and tendons is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to investigate with ultrasound the acute effects of extreme physical exercise on knee and ankle joints and their surrounding structures in trained athletes.

Methods: Participants of the Munich marathon were examined by arthrosonography before and after long distance running.

Ultrasound of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: advantages of the dorsal over the palmar approach to finger joints.

Objective: To compare the dorsal and palmar ultrasound (US) examination of finger joints in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with regard to the concurrence of greyscale (GSUS) and power Doppler (PDUS) positivity, and to correlate both approaches with clinical variables.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed RA were assessed by clinical examination and US. GSUS and PDUS of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints were performed using the dorsal and palmar approach.

Relevance of grade 1 gray-scale ultrasound findings in wrists and small joints to the assessment of subclinical synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical relevance of grade 1 findings on gray-scale ultrasound (GSUS) of the joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We examined the wrists and small joints of 100 patients with early or established RA and 30 healthy controls, using GSUS and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). Independent clinical assessment of all joints for tenderness and swelling according to the European League Against Rheumatism examination technique was performed.

Schnitzler's disease as an important differential diagnosis of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: a case report.

Introduction. At first sight, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) and Schnitzler's disease are diagnoses of exclusion and can be similar in their manifestation. Methods.

Interleukin 22 serum levels are associated with radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To study the role of interleukin 22 (IL-22) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: IL-22 serum levels were measured in patients with early, treatment-naive RA (n=49) and in 45 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals as controls. Patients were assessed clinically and radiographically at baseline and followed up for 2 years.

Role of Th17 cells in human autoimmune arthritis.

Objective: To delineate the role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritides.

Methods: Th17 cells were analyzed in well-defined homogeneous cohorts of patients with the prototypical autoimmune arthritides rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), grouped according to patients who had very early active RA (n = 36; mean disease duration 2.8 months, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints 5.