Subclinical synovitis impact on the progression of lupus joint disease: A 10-year longitudinal multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of subclinical synovitis on the progression of joint disease in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus over a mean follow-up of 10 years. METHODS: A longitudinal follow-up of 96 patients diagnosed with lupus was performed. All patients were considered clinically free of joint disease or with minimal joint impairment at baseline and were studied through ultrasound study of their dominant hand to assess the prevalence of subclinical synovitis. Now, over 10 years after we contacted them and reviewed their evolution to determine the impact of had or had not been diagnosed with subclinical synovitis in their current joint condition. RESULTS: Thirty-one of the 91 reached patients developed clinical progression in their joint manifestations (at least one ordinal degree of worsening). Of these, 23 (74,9%) had demonstrated subclinical synovitis at baseline. In the group of patients who did not progress clinically, 46 (76,6%) did not have this finding at the start of follow-up (p < .01, OR 9,44 95%CI 3,46-25,74). The patients in whom clinical progression was demonstrated had worse combined ultrasound scores than the rest of the patients: 6,41 SD 1,45 vs. 1,15 SD 0,97 (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The finding of subclinical synovitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with the development of joint disease progression both clinically and ultrasonographically.

Condicionantes del éxito terapéutico de las infiltraciones de corticoides en el síndrome del dedo en resorte / Determinants of Therapeutic Success of Corticoids Injections in Trigger Finger Syndrome

Antecedentes y objetivo: El dedo en resorte es un motivo de consulta frecuente en el que las infiltraciones de corticoides juegan un papel terapéutico relevante en los grados de severidad intermedios cuando el tratamiento conservador no ha funcionado. Sin embargo, no existen criterios que permitan seleccionar qué pacientes se beneficiarán más de este procedimiento. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es identificar los condicionantes de éxito terapéutico de las infiltraciones de corticoides en estos pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Diseñamos un estudio prospectivo longitudinal basado en práctica clínica habitual con pacientes adultos, con diagnóstico clínico de dedo en resorte grado II o III, a quienes se les realizó una infiltración de 20mg de acetato de triamcinolona. Las variables desenlace fueron el alcanzar un grado Quinnell I o reducir en al menos una categoría la severidad del cuadro clínico, 2 meses después del procedimiento. Para determinar los condicionantes del alcance de los objetivos se realizó una modelización predictiva de regresión logística binaria utilizando aquellas variables que tuvieron una satisfactoria correlación univariante. Resultados: Se incluyeron 74 pacientes a lo largo de 3 años, 42 de los cuales (61,8%) tenían un grado Quinnell III. Tras la infiltración, 22 (32,4%) alcanzaron la resolución completa y 50 (73,5%), la resolución parcial. Las variables engrosamiento tendinoso (HR: 10,72; IC 95%: 2,88-39,93; p<0,001) y tiempo de evolución (HR: 1,23; IC 95%: 1,02-1,49; p=0,027) demostraron ser condicionantes predictoras del éxito terapéutico en la resolución completa. Para la modelización para resolución parcial las mismas variables demostraron ser condicionantes predictoras (HR: 5,57; IC 95%: 1,38-22,41; p=0,016 y HR: 1,18; IC 95% 0,99-1,41; p=0,051, respectivamente). El engrosamiento de la polea no demostró capacidad predictiva en ninguno de los 2 modelos.(AU)

Background and objective: Trigger finger is a frequent complaint in which corticosteroid infiltrations play a relevant therapeutic role in intermediate degrees of severity when conservative treatment has not worked. However, there are no criteria to select which patients will benefit most from this procedure. The present study aimed to identify the factors leading to the therapeutic success of corticosteroid infiltration in these patients. Materials and methods: We designed a prospective longitudinal study based on routine clinical practice with adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of trigger finger grade II or III on the Quinnell scale, who underwent an infiltration of 20mg of triamcinolone acetate. The outcome variables were to achieve a Quinnell grade I or reduce the severity of the symptoms by at least one category two months after the procedure. To identify the determinants of complete or partial therapeutic success, binary logistic regression predictive modelling was performed using those variables that had a satisfactory univariate correlation. Results: 74 patients were included over three years, 42 of whom (61.8%) were classified as Quinnell grade III. After infiltration, 22 (32.4%) achieved complete resolution and 50 (73.5%) partial resolution. The variables tendon thickening (HR 10.72; 95%CI 2.88-39.93; P<.001) and progression time (HR 1.23; 95%CI 1.02-1.49; P=.027) proved to be predictors of therapeutic success in complete resolution. For the modelling for partial resolution, the same variables proved to be determining predictors (HR 5.57; 95%CI 1.38-22.41; P=.016 and HR 1.18; 95%CI .99-1.41; P=.051, respectively). Pulley thickening did not demonstrate predictive ability in either model.(AU)

Ultrasound changes following controlled mechanical stress in synovial tissue in the hands of healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The physiological response of the synovium to acute mechanical stress has not been extensively studied. This response is interesting in terms of the morphological changes it can cause as any such changes should be taken into account during ultrasound examinations. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of changes in ultrasound images of the synovial joint in the hands of healthy individuals after controlled mechanical stress. METHOD: We included 110 healthy volunteers on whom we carried out two ultrasound examinations of the non-dominant hand: one at baseline and the other after controlled handgrip exercise at 70% of the maximum voluntary contraction. RESULTS: The synovitis scores at baseline and after exercise were 0.472±0.798 and 0.772±1.162 t(109)=-3.791, respectively; p < 0.001. We observed no tenosynovitis in 88.2% of the participants at baseline, while after exercise the percentage fell to 70.9%; x2 (1, N=110) =10.0851, p = 0.0014. CONCLUSION: We conclude that synovitis and tenosynovitis are inducible by physical exercise and are detectable on ultrasound. This should be taken into account during ultrasound examinations for suspicion or follow-up of inflammatory rheumatism.

Determinants of therapeutic success of corticoids injections in trigger finger syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Trigger finger is a frequent complaint in which corticosteroid infiltrations play a relevant therapeutic role in intermediate degrees of severity when conservative treatment has not worked. However, there are no criteria to select which patients will benefit most from this procedure. The present study aimed to identify the factors leading to the therapeutic success of corticosteroid infiltration in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective longitudinal study based on routine clinical practice with adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of trigger finger grade II or III on the Quinnell scale, who underwent an infiltration of 20 mg of triamcinolone acetate. The outcome variables were to achieve a Quinnell grade I or reduce the severity of the symptoms by at least one category two months after the procedure. To identify the determinants of complete or partial therapeutic success, binary logistic regression predictive modelling was performed using those variables that had a satisfactory univariate correlation. RESULTS: 74 patients were included over three years, 42 of whom (61.8%) were classified as Quinnell grade III. After infiltration, 22 (32.4%) achieved complete resolution and 50 (73.5%) partial resolution. The variables tendon thickening (HR 10.72; 95%CI 2.88-39.93; P < .001) and progression time (HR 1.23; 95%CI 1.02-1.49; P = .027) proved to be predictors of therapeutic success in complete resolution. For the modelling for partial resolution, the same variables proved to be determining predictors (HR 5.57; 95%CI 1.38-22.41; P = .016 and HR 1.18; 95%CI .99-1.41; P = .051, respectively). Pulley thickening did not demonstrate predictive ability in either model. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the demonstration of finger flexor apparatus thickening is the main determining factor for the success of corticosteroid infiltrations in this pathology. This is in agreement with the histological findings of specimens obtained from both tenosynovial and pulley tissue. In the former, in addition to an infiltrate of inflammatory characteristics, the presence of chondrocytoid cells producing hyaluronic acid is demonstrated. Although the therapeutic success of infiltrations in previous studies reaches 70%, the recurrence rate is similar after 12 months. The selection of patients with tendon thickening ensures therapeutic success in the short term, could reduce recurrence in the long term, and avoid delay in release surgery.

Es seguro realizar infiltraciones o aspiraciones articulares en pacientes anticoagulados con acenocumarol? / Is it safe to perform joint infiltrations or aspirations in patients anticoagulated with acenocoumarol?

El propósito del presente estudio es determinar la tasa de complicaciones por sangrado en pacientes anticoagulados con acenocumarol en función del índice normalizado internacional (INR) de coagulación. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con 901 registros de pacientes a quienes se les practicó una artrocentesis o infiltración articular entre 2009 y 2013, se agruparon los registros en función de tener un INR superior o inferior a 2,0 (268 y 633 registros, respectivamente) y se compararon las tasas de complicaciones por sangrado. Se observó una tasa de 0,37% de complicaciones por sangrado tempranas (< 24 h) en el grupo de pacientes con INR < 2 y una tasa de 0,99% en el grupo de pacientes con INR ≥ 2 (p = 0,47). Solo se presentó un caso de complicación por sangrado tardío, entre 24 h y 30 días, en el grupo de pacientes con INR ≥ 2. Concluimos que la anticoagulación oral a dosis terapéutica con acenocumarol no incrementa el riesgo de sangrado por punciones articulares (AU)

The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of bleeding complications in patient's anticoagulated with acenocoumarol according to the international normalized ratio (INR) coagulation index. A cross-sectional study was performed with 901 charts of patients who underwent arthrocentesis or joint infiltration between 2009 and 2013; the charts were grouped on the basis of having an INR higher or lower than 2.0 (268 and 633, respectively). Comparisons were performed in terms of rates of early or late bleeding complications. A 0.37% rate of early bleeding complications (<24 h) was observed in the group of patients with INR<2 and 0.99% in the group of patients with INR≥2 (P=.47). Only one case of late complication was presented by bleeding between 24 h and 30 days, in the group of patients with INR≥2. We conclude that oral anticoagulation with acenocoumarol at therapeutic doses does not increase the risk of bleeding joint punctures (AU)

Is it safe to perform joint infiltrations or aspirations in patients anticoagulated with acenocoumarol?

The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of bleeding complications in patient's anticoagulated with acenocoumarol according to the international normalized ratio (INR) coagulation index. A cross-sectional study was performed with 901 charts of patients who underwent arthrocentesis or joint infiltration between 2009 and 2013; the charts were grouped on the basis of having an INR higher or lower than 2.0 (268 and 633, respectively). Comparisons were performed in terms of rates of early or late bleeding complications. A 0.37% rate of early bleeding complications (< 24hours) was observed in the group of patients with INR<2 and 0.99% in the group of patients with INR≥2 (P=.47). Only one case of late complication was presented by bleeding between 24 hours and 30 days, in the group of patients with INR≥2. We conclude that oral anticoagulation with acenocoumarol at terapeutical doses does not increase the risk of bleeding joint punctures.