The ultrasound 7 score in the assessment of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis : correlation with clinical disease activity indices

Objective The aim of the paper was to assess value of ultrasound 7 score (US7) in the detection of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its correlation with clinical disease activity indices. Patients and methods A total of 50 patients with RA were included. Disease activity was assessed by clinical disease activity indices. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was measured, and simple erosion narrowing score was used for radiography scoring. Musculoskeletal US7 score was done which combines each joint score for synovial proliferation (gray-scale ultrasound ‘GSUS7’) and vascularization (power Doppler ultrasound ‘PDUS7’). Results Detailed joint region examination by US7 score was done. Dorsomedian aspect of wrist (94%), palmar aspect of metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) II (96%), and palmar aspect of phalangeal interproximal (PIP) II and III (92%) were the most affected joint regions with synovitis by GSUS. However, for detection of synovitis by PDUS, dorsomedian aspect of wrist and dorsal aspect of MCP, PIP II, and PIP III were involved. Erosions were found most in radial aspect of MCP II (70%), lateral aspect of metatarsophalangeal joint V (72%), and dorsal aspect of PIP II (54%) and PIP III (44%). All clinical disease activity indices were correlated with GSUS7 and PDUS7 synovitis. Conclusion US7 was simple and practical sum scoring system for use in the detection of synovitis in patients with RA. The correlations between the clinical disease activity indices, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, duration of illness, radiographic score, and components of the US7 score reflects the value of US7 score in assessment of disease activity and severity.