RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Adherence to urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in gout is challenging. This longitudinal study aimed to determine 2 year changes in beliefs about medicines during intervention with ULT. METHOD: Patients with a recent gout flare and increased serum urate received a nurse-led ULT intervention with tight control visits and a treatment target. Frequent visits at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months included the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and demographic and clinical variables. The BMQ subscales on necessity, concerns, overuse, harm, and the necessity-concerns differential were calculated as a measure of whether the patient perceived that necessity outweighed concerns. RESULTS: The mean serum urate reduced from 500 mmol/L at baseline to 324 mmol/L at year 2. At years 1 and 2, 85.5% and 78.6% of patients, respectively, were at treatment target. The 2 year mean ± sd BMQ scores increased for the necessity subscale from 17.0 ± 4.4 to 18.9 ± 3.6 (p < 0.001) and decreased for the concerns subscale from 13.4 ± 4.9 to 12.5 ± 2.7 (p = 0.001). The necessity-concerns differential increased from 3.52 to 6.58 (p < 0.001), with a positive change independent of patients achieving treatment targets at 1 or 2 years. BMQ scores were not significantly related to treatment outcomes 1 or 2 years later, and achieving treatment targets did not lead to higher BMQ scores. CONCLUSION: Patient beliefs about medicines improved gradually over 2 years, with increased beliefs in the necessity of medication and reduced concerns, but this improvement was unrelated to better outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12618001372279.
Assuntos
Supressores da Gota , Gota , Humanos , Gota/tratamento farmacológico , Supressores da Gota/uso terapêutico , Estudos Longitudinais , Adesão à Medicação , Inquéritos e Questionários , Exacerbação dos Sintomas , Resultado do Tratamento , Ácido Úrico/sangue , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em SaúdeRESUMO
In recent years, the amount of data produced in the field of ART has increased exponentially. The diversity of data is large, ranging from videos to tabular data. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is progressively used in medical practice and may become a promising tool to improve success rates with ART. AI models may compensate for the lack of objectivity in several critical procedures in fertility clinics, especially embryo and sperm assessments. Various models have been developed, and even though several of them show promising performance, there are still many challenges to overcome. In this review, we present recent research on AI in the context of ART. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the presented methods, especially regarding clinical relevance. We also address the pitfalls hampering successful use of AI in the clinic and discuss future possibilities and important aspects to make AI truly useful for ART.
Assuntos
Inteligência Artificial , Clínicas de Fertilização , Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial , HumanosRESUMO
Objective: Few studies have investigated the efficacy of subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ-SC) on ultrasound-detected inflammation. This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of TCZ-SC treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate the response by ultrasound compared to Composite Disease Activity Scores (CDAS).Method: This open-label, single-arm study enrolled RA patients with inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs initiating TCZ-SC 162 mg once weekly for 24 weeks, with clinical assessments at baseline, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Ultrasound examinations [semi-quantitative score (0-3) of 36 joints and four tendons] were performed at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. CDAS and American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) response, and sum scores of ultrasound grey scale/Doppler were calculated. Changes during follow-up were explored by the Mann-Whitney test and correlations by Spearman's rho.Results: In total, 133 patients (mean ± sd age 55.9 ± 12.0 years) were assessed clinically and 110 patients were also examined with ultrasound. All clinical and ultrasound scores decreased significantly after 4 weeks (p < 0.001). At 24 weeks there was EULAR good response in 87.7% and ACR 70% response in 47.4%. Ultrasound scores had no or low correlations with patient-reported outcomes. At 24 weeks, CDAS remission was achieved in 27.4-83.5% and a sum score Doppler of 0 was found in 53.3%.Conclusions: Clinical and ultrasound scores decreased rapidly. Ultrasound scores were not associated with patient-reported variables. Half of the patients reached ultrasound remission, while there were large discrepancies in the percentage of patients reaching remission based on different CDAS.Trial registration: Study ML28691, registered 28 January 2014, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02046616.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/uso terapêutico , Antirreumáticos/uso terapêutico , Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Sinovite/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Idoso , Artrite Reumatoide/diagnóstico por imagem , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Indução de Remissão , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Sinovite/diagnóstico por imagem , Resultado do Tratamento , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
This study describes patient social networks within a new hemodialysis clinic and models the association between social network participation and kidney transplantation. Survey and observational data collected between August 2012 and February 2015 were used to observe the formation of a social network of 46 hemodialysis patients in a newly opened clinic. Thirty-two (70%) patients formed a social network, discussing health (59%) and transplantation (44%) with other patients. While transplant-eligible women participated in the network less often than men (56% vs. 90%, p = 0.02), women who participated discussed their health more often than men (90% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.02). Patients in the social network completed a median of two steps toward transplantation compared with a median of 0 for socially isolated patients (p = 0.003). Patients also completed more steps if network members were closely connected (ß = 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-4.29, p = 0.03) and if network members themselves completed more steps (ß = 2.84, 95% CI 0.11-5.57, p = 0.04). The hemodialysis clinic patient social network had a net positive effect on completion of transplant steps, and patients who interacted with each other completed a similar number of steps.
Assuntos
Falência Renal Crônica/cirurgia , Transplante de Rim , Diálise Renal , Rede Social , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prognóstico , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores Sexuais , Apoio Social , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto JovemRESUMO
We argue that many features of the structure of nuclei emerge from a strictly perturbative expansion around the unitarity limit, where the two-nucleon S waves have bound states at zero energy. In this limit, the gross features of states in the nuclear chart are correlated to only one dimensionful parameter, which is related to the breaking of scale invariance to a discrete scaling symmetry and set by the triton binding energy. Observables are moved to their physical values by small perturbative corrections, much like in descriptions of the fine structure of atomic spectra. We provide evidence in favor of the conjecture that light, and possibly heavier, nuclei are bound weakly enough to be insensitive to the details of the interactions but strongly enough to be insensitive to the exact size of the two-nucleon system.
RESUMO
We present quantum Monte Carlo calculations of few-neutron systems confined in external potentials based on local chiral interactions at next-to-next-to-leading order in chiral effective field theory. The energy and radial densities for these systems are calculated in different external Woods-Saxon potentials. We assume that their extrapolation to zero external-potential depth provides a quantitative estimate of three- and four-neutron resonances. The validity of this assumption is demonstrated by benchmarking with an exact diagonalization in the two-body case. We find that the extrapolated trineutron resonance, as well as the energy for shallow well depths, is lower than the tetraneutron resonance energy. This suggests that a three-neutron resonance exists below a four-neutron resonance in nature and is potentially measurable. To confirm that the relative ordering of three- and four-neutron resonances is not an artifact of the external confinement, we test that the odd-even staggering in the helium isotopic chain is reproduced within this approach. Finally, we discuss similarities between our results and ultracold Fermi gases.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To explore whether smoking and alcohol use are associated with hand osteoarthritis (OA) features in two different OA cohorts. METHOD: We studied 530 people with radiographic hand OA from the Musculoskeletal pain in Ullensaker STudy (MUST) and 187 people from the Oslo hand OA cohort [mean (sd) age 65 (8.0) and 62 (5.7) years, 71% and 91% women, respectively]. Smoking, alcohol use and hand pain were self-reported. Participants underwent conventional hand radiographs and ultrasound examination of 30 hand joints. The Kellgren-Lawrence sum score for radiographic OA severity (0-120 scale) and the proportion of participants having at least one joint with grey-scale synovitis (grade ≥1) were calculated. We studied whether smoking and alcohol use were cross-sectionally associated with radiographic OA, synovitis, and pain using adjusted linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Smoking was associated with less radiographic OA in both cohorts [ß = -4.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.36 to -1.06 for current smoking in MUST and ß = -0.15, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.02 for smoking pack-years in the Oslo hand OA cohort]. Stratified analyses indicated that the association was present in men only. Being a monthly drinker (examined in MUST only) was significantly associated with present synovitis compared to never drinkers (odds ratio = 2.35, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.34) (no gender differences). Neither smoking nor alcohol was associated with hand pain. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking was associated with less radiographic hand OA whereas alcohol consumption was associated with present joint inflammation in hand OA. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore the causal associations and explanatory mechanisms behind gender differences.
Assuntos
Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas , Dor Musculoesquelética , Osteoartrite , Fumar , Sinovite , Idoso , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/epidemiologia , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Articulação da Mão/diagnóstico por imagem , Articulação da Mão/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dor Musculoesquelética/diagnóstico , Dor Musculoesquelética/etiologia , Noruega/epidemiologia , Osteoartrite/diagnóstico , Osteoartrite/epidemiologia , Osteoartrite/psicologia , Radiografia/métodos , Fatores de Risco , Fumar/epidemiologia , Fumar/fisiopatologia , Estatística como Assunto , Sinovite/diagnóstico , Sinovite/etiologia , Ultrassonografia/métodosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Ultrasonography is sensitive for the evaluation of cartilage pathology and degree of osteophytes in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). High consistency of assessments is essential, and the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) ultrasonography group took the initiative to explore the reliability of a global ultrasonography score in patients with hand OA using semiquantitative ultrasonography score of cartilage and osteophytes in finger joints. METHODS: Ten patients with hand OA were examined by 10 experienced sonographers over the course of two days. Semiquantitative scoring (0-3) was performed on osteophytes (carpo-metacarpal 1, metacarpo-phalangeal (MCP) 1-5, proximal interphalangeal 1-5 and distal interphalangeal 2-5 joints bilaterally with an ultrasonography atlas as reference) and cartilage pathology (MCP 2-5 bilaterally). A web-based exercise on static cartilage images was performed a month later. Reliability was assessed by use of weighted κ analyses. RESULTS: Osteophyte scores were evenly distributed, and the intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities were substantial to excellent (κ range 0.68-0.89 and mean κ 0.65 (day 1) and 0.67 (day 2), respectively). Cartilage scores were unevenly distributed, and the intraobserver and interobserver reliability was fair to moderate (κ range 0.46-0.66 and mean κ 0.39 (day 1) and 0.33 (day 2), respectively). The web-based exercise showed acceptable agreement for cartilage being normal (κ 0.47) or with complete loss (κ 0.68), but poor for the intermediate scores (κ 0.22-0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the present semiquantitative ultrasonography scoring system for cartilage pathology in hand OA is not recommended (while normal or total loss of cartilage may be assessed). However, the OMERACT ultrasonography group will endorse the use of semiquantitative scoring of osteophytes with the ultrasonography atlas as reference.
Assuntos
Cartilagem/diagnóstico por imagem , Articulações dos Dedos/diagnóstico por imagem , Mãos/diagnóstico por imagem , Osteoartrite/diagnóstico por imagem , Osteófito/diagnóstico por imagem , Idoso , Cartilagem/patologia , Feminino , Articulações dos Dedos/patologia , Mãos/patologia , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Variações Dependentes do Observador , Osteoartrite/patologia , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of synovitis, pain and radiographic progression in non-erosive and erosive hand osteoarthritis (HOA), and to explore whether the different rate of disease progression is explained by different levels of synovitis and structural damage. DESIGN: We included 31 and 34 participants with non-erosive and erosive HOA at baseline, respectively. Using Generalized Estimating Equations, we explored whether participants with erosive HOA had more synovitis (by MRI, ultrasound and clinical examination) independent of the degree of structural damage. Similarly, we explored whether pain at baseline and radiographic progression after 5 years were higher in erosive HOA, independent of the levels of synovitis and structural damage. All analyses were adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Power Doppler activity was found mainly in erosive HOA. Participants with erosive HOA demonstrated more moderate-to-severe synovitis, assessed by MRI (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.11-2.70), grey-scale ultrasound (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.25-3.26) and clinical examination (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.44-2.25). The associations became non-significant when adjusting for more structural damage. The higher frequency of joint tenderness in erosive HOA was at least partly explained more structural damage and inflammation. Radiographic progression (OR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.73-3.69) was more common in erosive HOA independent of radiographic HOA severity and synovitis (here: adjusted for grey-scale synovitis by ultrasound). CONCLUSION: Erosive HOA is characterized by higher frequency and more severe synovitis, pain and radiographic progression compared to non-erosive HOA. The higher rate of disease progression was independent of baseline synovitis and structural damage.
Assuntos
Articulação da Mão/diagnóstico por imagem , Osteoartrite/diagnóstico por imagem , Sinovite/diagnóstico por imagem , Idoso , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Osteoartrite/complicações , Dor/etiologia , Fenótipo , Radiografia/métodos , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Sinovite/etiologia , Ultrassonografia Doppler/métodosRESUMO
We investigate the attractive Fermi polaron problem in two dimensions using nonperturbative Monte Carlo simulations. We introduce a new Monte Carlo algorithm called the impurity lattice Monte Carlo method. This algorithm samples the path integral in a computationally efficient manner and has only small sign oscillations for systems with a single impurity. As a benchmark of the method, we calculate the universal polaron energy in three dimensions in the scale-invariant unitarity limit and find agreement with published results. We then present the first fully nonperturbative calculations of the polaron energy in two dimensions and density correlations between the impurity and majority particles in the limit of zero-range interactions. We find evidence for a smooth crossover transition from fermionic quasiparticle to molecular state as a function of the interaction strength.
RESUMO
Below-grade foundation walls are often exposed to excessive moisture by water infiltration, condensation, leakage, or lack of ventilation. Microbial growth in these structures depends largely on environmental factors, elapsed time, and the type of building materials and construction setup. The ecological preferences of Actinomycetes (Actinobacteria) and the molds Ascotricha chartarum, Myxotrichum chartarum (Ascomycota), Geomyces pannorum, and Monocillium sp. (Hyphomycetes) have been addressed based on analyses of 1764 samples collected in below-grade spaces during the period of 2001-2012. Our results show a significant correlation between these taxa and moist foundation walls as ecological niches. Substrate preference was the strongest predictor of taxa distribution within the wall, but the taxa's physiological needs, together with gradients of abiotic factors within the wall structure, also played a role. Our study describes for the first time how the wall environment affects microbial growth.
Assuntos
Materiais de Construção/microbiologia , Microbiologia Ambiental , Consórcios Microbianos , NoruegaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Ocrelizumab (OCR) is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD-20 positive lymphocytes, mainly B-lymphocytes. OCR is approved for treatment of primary progressive (PPMS) and relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). This study aims to provide real-world safety and efficacy data of people with RMS treated with OCR in two Swiss Multiple Sclerosis (MS) centers. METHODS: We have conducted a retrospective data analysis using the patient cohorts from the Cantonal Hospital Aarau and Bern University Hospital (RMS: n = 235). Statistical analyses were performed with Mann-Whitney U-Test, Chi-squared test and Spearman-Rho-Correlation. Adjustment for multiple testing was performed by Bonferroni procedure. RESULTS: After initiation of OCR, there was a decrease in disease activity in RMS patients. In our study, 152/190 (80.0 %) RMS patients fulfilled the criteria for NEDA-3 12 months and 88/104 (84.6 %) showed NEDA-3 24 months after OCR initiation. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) in our study were infections, taking place in 78/235 (33.2 %) RMS patients. COVID-19 was the most common infection, followed by urinary infections and other respiratory infections and infectious adverse events occurred significantly more frequent in patients with reduced IgG serum concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Our real-world study showed OCR being associated with low rates of any type of MS disease activity as indicated by NEDA-3. The adverse event profile is comparable to the known events especially infections and an association between infections and reduced IgG serum concentration was found.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados , Fatores Imunológicos , Esclerose Múltipla Recidivante-Remitente , Humanos , Feminino , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/efeitos adversos , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/administração & dosagem , Esclerose Múltipla Recidivante-Remitente/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Adulto , Estudos Retrospectivos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Suíça , Fatores Imunológicos/efeitos adversos , Fatores Imunológicos/administração & dosagemRESUMO
We calculate the neutron-60Ca S-wave scattering phase shifts using state of the art coupled-cluster theory combined with modern ab initio interactions derived from chiral effective theory. Effects of three-nucleon forces are included schematically as density dependent nucleon-nucleon interactions. This information is combined with halo effective field theory in order to investigate the 60Ca-neutron-neutron system. We predict correlations between different three-body observables and the two-neutron separation energy of 62Ca. This provides evidence of Efimov physics along the calcium isotope chain. Experimental key observables that facilitate a test of our findings are discussed.
RESUMO
In order to optimize and standardize musculoskeletal ultrasonography education for rheumatologists, there is a need for competency assessments addressing the required training and practical and theoretical skills. This paper describes how these competency assessments for rheumatologists were developed and what they contain.
Assuntos
Competência Clínica , Doenças Musculoesqueléticas/diagnóstico por imagem , Reumatologia/educação , Sociedades Médicas , Ultrassonografia/normas , Comparação Transcultural , Currículo/normas , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , Conselhos de Especialidade ProfissionalRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Neutropenia is a rare complication of anti-CD20 treatment, such as Ocrelizumab (OCR) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Using FDA´s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), a post-marketing, open access pharmacovigilance database, we aimed to identify risk factors of neutropenia in OCR-treated patients. METHODS: Data were retrieved from FAERS identifying OCR-treated patients with and without neutropenia. Only data with OCR as the single suspected product were considered. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) analysis was run to study if MS disease course, age, sex and bodyweight were associated with the risk of neutropenia. RESULTS: Of 15,313 initial hits, 3177 complete datasets were included in the analysis. MLR demonstrated that MS disease course was not associated, whereas sex (female sex (reference male sex) 0.356, 95%CI 0.145-0.875, p = 0.0124), age (years, 0.909, 95%CI 0.875-0.944, p = 7.4105 × 10-7) and bodyweight (kilogram, 0.961, 95%CI 0.935-0.988, p = 0.005) were factors associated with OCR-related neutropenia (Nagelkerkes R2=0.17, n = 3177). No deaths were reported for identified neutropenia cases. CONCLUSION: Using FAERS, we identified male sex, younger age and lower bodyweight as factors associated with OCR-related neutropenia. With the limitations inherent to this open data source, our data need prospective validation, but elucidate potential factors for a personalized side effect profiling.
Assuntos
Efeitos Colaterais e Reações Adversas Relacionados a Medicamentos , Esclerose Múltipla , Neutropenia , Sistemas de Notificação de Reações Adversas a Medicamentos , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados , Efeitos Colaterais e Reações Adversas Relacionados a Medicamentos/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Neutropenia/induzido quimicamente , Neutropenia/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , United States Food and Drug AdministrationRESUMO
A gout attack may evolve after a purine-rich diet or alcohol and after starting urate-lowering therapy (ULT). The relationships between fluctuation and change in serum urate (SU) with the occurrence of flares were investigated in this study. In the prospective NOR-Gout study, gout patients with increased SU and a recent flare were treated to target with ULT over 1 year, with follow-up at year 2 with SU and flare as outcomes. SU and flares were assessed at both monthly and 3-monthly intervals until target SU was reached. Fluctuation over periods and changes in SU between two time points were assessed and compared in patients with and without flares. At year 1, 186 patients completed follow-up (88.2%) and 173 (82.0%) at year 2. Mean age (SD) at baseline was 56.4 (13.7) years, disease duration was 7.8 (7.6) years, and 95.3% were men. The first-year SU fluctuation and change were related to flare occurrence during year 1 (both p < 0.05). High fluctuation with an absolute sum of all SU changes during the first 9 months was related to flares over 3-month periods (all p < 0.05), and high fluctuation during the first 3 months was related to flares in months 3-6 (p = 0.04). Monthly and high SU changes or again reaching higher SU levels > 360 µmol/l were not related to flares. Fluctuation and change in SU were related to flare occurrence during the first year of ULT, while changes between visits and reaching SU levels > 360 µmol/L were not related to flares. Key Points ⢠Urate-lowering therapy seeks to achieve a treatment target and prevent gout flares, and changes in serum urate are related to gout flares. ⢠Fluctuation and changes in serum urate were associated with gout flares, suggesting that fluctuation in serum urate is unfavourable during gout treatment. ⢠During urate-lowering therapy in gout in clinical practice, fluctuation of serum urate, for example, due to lack of adherence, should be observed and avoided.
Assuntos
Supressores da Gota , Gota , Masculino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , Supressores da Gota/uso terapêutico , Ácido Úrico , Estudos Prospectivos , Gota/tratamento farmacológico , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is no international consensus on an optimal ultrasound score for monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on patient-level yet. Our aim was to reassess the US7 score for the identification of the most frequently pathologic and responsive joint/tendon regions, to optimize it and contribute to an international consensus. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the impact of disease duration on the performance of the score. METHODS: RA patients were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of starting/changing DMARD therapy by the US7 score in greyscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD). The frequency of pathologic joint/tendon regions and their responsiveness to therapy were analyzed by Friedman test and Cochrane-Q test respectively, including the comparison of palmar vs. dorsal regions (chi-square test). The responsiveness of different reduced scores and the amount of information retained from the original US7 score were assessed by standardized response means (SRM)/linear regression. Analyses were also performed separately for early and established RA. RESULTS: A total of 435 patients (N = 138 early RA) were included (56.5 (SD 13.1) years old, 8.2 (9.1) years disease duration, 80% female). The dorsal wrist, palmar MCP2, extensor digitorum communis (EDC) and carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendons were most frequently affected by GS/PD synovitis/tenosynovitis (wrist: 45%/43%; MCP2: 35%/28%; EDC: 30%/11% and ECU: 25%/11%) and significantly changed within 6 months of therapy (all p ≤0.003 by GS/PD). The dorsal vs. palmar side of the wrist by GS/PD (p < 0.001) and the palmar side of the finger joints by PD (p < 0.001) were more frequently pathologic. The reduced US7 score (GS/PD: palmar MCP2, dorsal wrist, EDC and ECU, only PD: dorsal MCP2) showed therapy response (SRM 0.433) after 6 months and retained 76% of the full US7 score's information. No major differences between the groups of early and established RA could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: The wrist, MCP2, EDC, and ECU tendons were most frequently pathologic and responsive to therapy in both early and established RA and should therefore be included in a comprehensive score for monitoring RA patients on patient-level.