Power Doppler sonography, a non-invasive method of assessment of the synovial inflammation in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To detect synovitis is important in both the diagnosis and outcome assessment of early rheumatoid arthritis. This study was meant to assess the validity and reproducibility of ultrasonography (US) as a mean of detection for the knee synovitis, by comparing US findings with clinical examination and histopathological findings in synovial membrane.

Methods: The study group included 65 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis - below 12 months from the debut, naive for DMARDs, in whom demographic data - gender, age, disease duration, the number of tender and swollen joints, HAQ score (Health Assessment Questionnaire) and serum samples for CRP, RF, anti-CCP2 antibodies (ELISA, QUANTA LiteTM, CCP IgG, INOVA Diagnostics Inc, USA), VEGF (ELISA, VEGF2, DRG International, IRC, USA) determination were recorded.