Intra-articular injection with triamcinolone hexacetonide in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: prospective assessment of goniometry and joint inflammation parameters.

Objectives: To evaluate local joint variables after intra-articular injection with triamcinolone hexacetonide in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Methods: We blindly and prospectively (baseline, 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks) evaluated metacarpophalangeal, wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee and ankle joints after triamcinolone hexacetonide intra-articular injection by the following outcome measures: visual analogue scale 0-10cm (VAS) for rest pain (VASR); VAS for movement pain (VASM); VAS for joint swelling (VASSw); flexion (FlexG) and extension (ExtG).

Results: 289 patients (635 joints) were studied.

[Intra-articular injections of triamcinolone hexacetonide in rheumatoid arthritis: short and long-term improvement predictors].

Objectives: Identify good response predictors to intra-articular injection (IAI) with triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH).

Methods: This study was carried out in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (American College of Rheumatology criteria) submitted to IAI (mono, pauci or polyarticular injection).

Assessment: A "blinded" observer prospectively evaluated joints at one week (T1), four weeks (T4), twelve weeks (T12) and 24 weeks (T24) after IAI.

Effectiveness of imaging-guided intra-articular injection: a comparison study between fluoroscopy and ultrasound.

Objective: Compare the effectiveness of ultrasound and fluoroscopy to guide intra-articular injections (IAI) in selected cases.

Material And Methods: A prospective study in our outpatient clinics at the Rheumatology Division at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil, was conducted to compare the short-term (4 weeks) effectiveness of ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided IAI in patients with rheumatic diseases. Inclusion criteria were: adults with refractory synovitis undergoing IAI with glucocorticoid.

Usefulness of US to show subclinical joint abnormalities in asymptomatic feet of RA patients compared to healthy controls.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the utility of ultrasound to show subclinical feet disease in RA.

Methods: The foot joints (talocrural, talocalcaneal, talonavicular, naviculocuneiform, calcaneocuboid, 5th tarsometatarsal and 1st to 5th metatarsophalangeal [MTP] joints) of 50 healthy subjects and 50 RA patients, with asymptomatic feet, were compared bilaterally. Statistical significance was set at 5%.

Interobserver reliability of ultrasonography in the assessment of cartilage damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To evaluate the interobserver reliability of ultrasonography (US) in the assessment of cartilage damage at metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: US examinations were performed on 80 MCP joints of 20 patients with RA using a MyLab70 XVG (Esaote Biomedica, Genoa, Italy), equipped with a broadband linear probe (6-18 MHz). For each patient, second and third MCP joints of both hands were examined independently on the same day by two rheumatologists (an experienced musculoskeletal sonographer and an investigator with limited US training).