AB0221 Predictive Value of Power Doppler Ultrasonography (PDUS) in The Diagnosis of Very Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

BackgroundThere is a short window of opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, that may be crucial for reaching remission and a low rate of radiographic progression. High resolution power doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) is helpful in early detection of synovitis and allows an accurate classification of patients with joint inflammation.ObjectivesTo establish wether the presence of basal power doppler signal in patients with very early arthritis may be helpful in order to establish the risk of final diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis according ACR criteria 1987 at a year of follow up.MethodsWe studied the presence of ultrasonographic Power Doppler (PD) signal on 28 joints (shoulders, elbows, wrists, MCPs, knees) and 44 joints (28 joints and in addition hips, Tarsus, ankles and MTPs), with a mid-range equipment GE L5, in 40 patients with suspected early arthritis The patients were included with at least one of the following inclusion criteria: a) Swelling in 2 or more joints b) pain in MCPs, MTPs and/or the wrists c) morning stiffness of more than 30 minutes with