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Selected Publication:
Gasperi, N.
Ultrasound-detected structural and inflammatory changes associated with hand osteoarthritis in an elderly population:
Results of the Bruneck study
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2018. pp. 61
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Dejaco Christian
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- Abstract:
- Background: Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease worldwide and has a negative effect on the quality of life of affected patients. Ultrasound is increasingly used in early stages of OA. Few previous studies evaluated the prevalence of US signs of OA. Objectives: The prevalence of hand OA was evaluated. Structural and inflammatory US signs of OA were investigated in the hands of subjects with hand OA and in healthy subjects. We also analyzed possible correlations of abnormal US findings with functional impairment. Methods: 353 participants were clinically evaluated. The ACR criteria and clinical scores were assessed. Osteophytes, synovial hypertrophy/effusion (SH/E), erosion and Power-Doppler (PD) abnormalities were assessed by US. There groups were compared to each other. Subjects fulfilling the ACR-criteria (group A), healthy subjects (group B) and healthy subjects without bony enlargements (group B1) Results: 26.9% fulfilled the ACR criteria, 100% of the subjects of group A, 99% of group B and 97% of group B1 presented at least one US abnormality. Osteophytes and synovial changes were the most common abnormalities. In group A, 100% of the subjects showed at least one osteophyte and 93% showed at least one SH/E. A high prevalence was also found in group B (99% and 63%, respectively) and in group B1 (94% and 41%, respectively). Osteophytes and synovial inflammation correlated with functional impairment. Conclusions: The prevalence of hand OA was higher compared to previous studies. US abnormalities were common in all investigated groups. Our results suggest that US might be a method which enables detection of osteoarthritic changes before patients develop symptoms. A follow-up clinical and US examination as part of the Bruneck study is scheduled in 5 years’ time and will shed light on the question whether US findings of OA precede clinically overt OA or whether these findings could be considered normal.