21 Jun 2024 • A recent study states that forefeet need not be considered for ultrasound in the prediction of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA).

Two independent cohorts of CSA patients underwent ultrasound of the hands and forefeet. Out of the 298 CSA patients, 86% had a positive ultrasound in their hands and only 10 - 14% had subclinical joint inflammation in their feet.

Inflammation in the hands is more common than in the forefeet. The presence of subclinical joint inflammation in the forefeet alone was rare. Ultrasound positivity was associated with inflammatory arthritis development in both cohorts. The results were consistent across the cohorts.

Source:Rheumatology| Read full story