Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0003873 (rheumatoid arthritis)
 53,068 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Pannus formation is a fundamental event in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and its hypervascularisation seems to be crucial to the development of joint damage. High-resolution greyscale ultrasonography is a safe, quick, and inexpensive imaging tool that allows an accurate detection of even minimal morphostructural changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including joint effusion, thickening of synovial membrane and bone erosions. More recently, power Doppler sonography has proved to be a reliable tool for semiquantitative assessment of the vascularity of the synovial tissue. The contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography seems to be a helpful adjunct in assessing synovitis and the therapeutic response to the different therapies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this radiological vignette was to show a representative example of use of power Doppler sonography with contrast agent in assessing rheumatoid synovitis.
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PMID:[Power Doppler e mezzi di contrasto nello studio della membrana sinoviale reumatoide]. 1256 72

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice in early diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The pathologic processes in RA involve synovitis, joint effusion, proliferation of fibrovascular connective tissue, and the formation of pannus. Other imaging techniques available for imaging of RA include ultrasound, scintigraphy, computed tomography, and plain radiography (PR). MRI provides high sensitivity in detecting inflammatory changes in the joints. Several studies report high intra- and interobserver reliability and low variation for MRI. MRI allows detection and, in some cases, quantification of synovial changes. Dynamic MRI is a new technique that utilizes rate of synovial enhancement in evaluation of inflammatory changes. MRI allows visualization of erosions in three orthogonal planes. MRI has been shown in many studies to have much greater sensitivity than PR in detecting erosions. Use of a contrast agent further increases the sensitivity in detecting erosions and differentiates and outlines synovial proliferation from fluid collection. Other manifestations of RA such as intraosseous cysts, tenosynovitis, bone marrow edema, and carpal tunnel syndrome can also be visualized on magnetic resonance images. Advances in MRI include contrast-enhancement, dynamic, and quantitative techniques. MRI assists in the early detection of RA, which allows earlier initiation of treatment with disease-modifying therapies.
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PMID:Magnetic resonance imaging in early detection of rheumatoid arthritis. 1292 Jun 46

The aim of the study was to show the magnetic resonance (MR) images of changes in hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The SE sequence T1-weighted (TR600, TE15) and fat-suppressed (A-250, TR1155, TE22) were obtained with 3 mm coronal scans and matrix 256 x 512, both before and after contrast medium administration. Knee coil was used. The images in both sequences of the following changes were obtained: bone erosions, synovitis, periarticular oedema, joint effusion, tendonitis and bone marrow oedema. The administration of intravenous contrast was found very useful. Changes of the joint synovium in osteoarthritis were characterised to differentiate them from changes due to RA. The authors suggest that MR imaging--because of its exceptional diagnostic value--may become a basic imaging method in evaluation of patients with RA.
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PMID:[Magnetic resonance imaging of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis]. 1507 26

We investigated the cytosolic proteome of inflamed synovial tissue by hierarchical clustering analysis and validated the feasibility of this proteome analysis by identifying proteins that were differentially expressed between rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathy (SpA), and osteoarthritis (OA). Synovial biopsy samples were obtained from 18 patients undergoing needle arthroscopy for knee synovitis associated with RA (n = 6) and SpA (n = 6), and for joint effusion of the knee associated with OA (n = 6). Cytosolic proteins were extracted from the tissue and subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protein expression patterns were statistically analyzed and used for hierarchical cluster analysis. Proteins of interest were independently identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization- and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the complete match set, containing 640 spots, remarkably segregated SpA from RA and OA. Next, we used a subset of spots that was statistically, differentially expressed (P < 0.01), between RA and SpA, SpA and OA, or RA and OA, in both Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The dendrograms revealed distinct clustering of RA versus SpA and RA versus OA. Spots that were differentially expressed between the groups were identified by tandem mass spectrometry. Fructose bisphosphate aldolase A and alpha-enolase showed higher expression levels in SpA than in OA (P < 0.01). Calgranulin A myeloid related protein-8 (MRP-8) was markedly up-regulated in RA and SpA patients in comparison to OA patients where this spot was below detection limit. The analysis of the cytosolic proteome of synovial tissue is a useful approach to identify disease-associated proteins in chronic inflammatory arthritis.
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PMID:Chronically inflamed synovium from spondyloarthropathy and rheumatoid arthritis investigated by protein expression profiling followed by tandem mass spectrometry. 1584 42

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of intra-articular methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Twenty-three consecutive patients, 10 with RA and 13 with PsA, with prevalent or unique arthritic involvement of one knee, were treated with intra-articular injections of MTX 10 mg every 7 days for 8 weeks. Before the beginning of the treatment and after 9 and 17 weeks, the patients underwent a clinical evaluation measuring maximal knee flexion angle, visual analog scale (VAS) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). On the same days, an ultrasonographic examination of the involved knee was performed by two independent experienced operators. Synovial thickness in the suprapatellar bursa and the presence of joint effusion and Baker's cyst were assessed. An increase of the mean value of maximal knee flexion angle and a reduction of the mean values of ESR and VAS between T0, T9 and T17 were demonstrated. Ultrasonographic evaluation showed significant reduction of synovial thickness and joint effusion. No differences were detected for the presence of Baker's cyst. We may conclude that repeated intra-articular injections of MTX resulted in a decrease of local as well as systemic inflammatory signs. As far as we know, this is the first study that explores the effects of intra-articular MTX in RA and PsA both clinically and by ultrasonography.
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PMID:Intra-articular methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis: a clinical and sonographic study. 1594 14

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily being expressed as a cell surface molecule and binding a variety of ligands. One of these ligands is high-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1, a potent proinflammatory cytokine, expression of which is increased in synovial tissue and in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The interaction of high-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 with cell-surface RAGE leads to an inflammatory response. In contrast, the presence of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) may abrogate cellular activation since the ligand is bound prior to interaction with the surface receptor. Our aim was to analyse to what extent sRAGE is present in patients with chronic joint inflammation (RA) as compared with patients with non-inflammatory joint disease and with healthy subjects, and to assess whether there is an association between sRAGE levels and disease characteristics. Matching samples of blood and synovial fluid were collected from 62 patients with RA with acute joint effusion. Blood from 45 healthy individuals, synovial fluid samples from 33 patients with non-inflammatory joint diseases and blood from six patients with non-inflammatory joint diseases were used for comparison. sRAGE levels were analysed using an ELISA.RA patients displayed significantly decreased blood levels of sRAGE (871 +/- 66 pg/ml, P < 0.0001) as compared with healthy controls (1290 +/- 78 pg/ml) and with patients with non-inflammatory joint disease (1569 +/- 168 pg/ml). Importantly, sRAGE levels in the synovial fluid of RA patients (379 +/- 36 pg/ml) were lower than in corresponding blood samples and correlated significantly with blood sRAGE. Interestingly, a significantly higher sRAGE level was found in synovial fluid of RA patients treated with methotrexate as compared with patients without disease-modifying anti-rheumatic treatment.We conclude that a decreased level of sRAGE in patients with RA might increase the propensity towards inflammation, whereas treatment with methotrexate counteracts this feature.
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PMID:Decreased levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products in patients with rheumatoid arthritis indicating deficient inflammatory control. 1598 96

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) abnormalities cannot be reliably assessed by a clinical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may depict joint abnormalities not seen with any other imaging method and thus is the best method to make a diagnostic assessment of the TMJ status. In patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) referred for diagnostic imaging the predominant TMJ finding is internal derangement related to disc displacement. This finding is significantly more frequent than in asymptomatic volunteers, and occurs in up to 80% of patients consecutively referred for TMJ imaging. Moreover, certain types of disc displacement seem to occur almost exclusively in TMD patients, namely complete disc displacements that do not reduce on mouth opening. Other intra-articular abnormalities may additionally be associated with the disc displacement, predominantly joint effusion (which means more fluid than seen in any asymptomatic volunteer) and mandibular condyle marrow abnormalities (which are not seen in volunteers). These conditions seem to be closely related. Nearly 15% of TMD patients consecutively referred for TMJ MRI will have joint effusion, of whom about 30% will show bone marrow abnormalities. In a surgically selected material of joints with histologically documented bone marrow abnormalities nearly 40% showed joint effusion. Disc displacement is mostly bilateral, but joint effusion seems to be unilateral or with a lesser amount of fluid in the contralateral joint. Abnormal bone marrow is also mostly unilateral. Many patients have unilateral pain or more pain on one side. In a regression analysis the self-reported in-patient TMJ pain side difference was positively dependent on TMJ effusion and condyle marrow abnormalities, but negatively dependent on cortical bone abnormalities. Of the joints with effusion only one fourth showed osteoarthritis. Thus, there seems to be a subgroup of TMD patients showing more severe intra-articular pathology than disc displacement alone, and mostly without osteoarthritis. It should, however, be emphasized that patients with TMJ effusion and/or abnormal bone marrow in the mandibular condyle seem to constitute only a minor portion (less than one fourth) of consecutive TMD patients referred for diagnostic TMJ imaging. The majority of patients have internal derangement related to disc displacement, but without accompanying joint abnormalities. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritides TMJ involvement may mimick the more common TMDs. Using MRI it is possible, in most cases, to distinguish these patients from those without synovial proliferation.
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PMID:Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the clinical diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint. 1608 29

Although bones are not well imaged by US this imaging modality can be helpful in the assessment of bone surface and can be complementary to standard radiographs. A focal irregularity of the hyperechoic cortical line indicates a fracture, a cortical avulsion, a local bulging of the cortex or a foreign body related or not to previous surgery. Subperiosteal collections either purulent or hemorrhagic are easily detected and can be aspirated under US guidance if an infection is suspected. US also allows diagnosis of epiphyseal fractures when involving the distal epiphysis of the metatarsals, radial head, humeral head (Hill-Sachs fracture) growing cartilages... US examination of joints can detect osteophytes and marginal erosions (allowing early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis together with visualization of hyperaemic pannus and joint effusion) Cortical continuity in a location where in normal conditions a joint space is found indicates a synostosis. In children US, by directly visualizing the cartilaginous component of the non ossified bones, allows detection and serial follow-up of many congenital malformation (pes equinus...). US may be obtained in all patients where standard radiographs are not diagnostic because of it is efficient, non-invasive and relatively inexpensive.
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PMID:[Superficial US of superficial bones]. 1630 54

Lyme disease, a multi-system disorder may be associated with arthritis. Lyme arthritis most commonly affects the knee joints. Ultrasonography can show the inflammation changes of the knee joint and can be a usefull method in diagnosis of Lyme arthritis. The most freguent ultrasonographic finding was knee joint effusion. Because of Lyme arthritis similarities to rheumatoid arthritis, a serologic test antibodies against cyclic cytrulinated peptid (anty CCP) can be helpfull in distinguishing of these two diseases.
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PMID:[Ultrasonography in diagnosing Lyme arthritis of the knee joints in correlation with anti-CCP antibodies]. 1690 73

A small minority of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients may develop a deforming arthritis, typically with a non-erosive (Jaccoud's) pattern, although erosive features indistinguishable from rheumatoid arthritis may also occur. High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) allows detailed 'real time' imaging of joint and tendon morphostructural changes involving the hand in patients with several rheumatic diseases. The main aim of this pictorial essay is to provide the first descriptive HRUS and power Doppler (PD) findings of joint and tendon involvement of the hand and wrist in patients with SLE arthritis. Seventeen patients with SLE and hand involvement were examined. HRUS of the wrist, 2nd and 3rd MCP joints, 3rd PIP joint and 2nd, 3rd and 4th finger flexor tendons were studied in the dominant hand for each patient. Sixteen (94%) patients had joint effusion or synovial hypertrophy in the wrist. Twelve (71%) patients had joint effusion or synovial hypertrophy in 2nd or 3rd MCPJs. Eight (47%) patients had erosion at 2nd or 3rd MCPJs. In three cases erosions were not present radiologically. Eleven (65%) patients had evidence of tenosynovitis. In SLE, HRUS with PD detects a high prevalence of inflammatory pathology in the tendons and synovium of the hand and wrist, and a high prevalence of MCP joint erosions. HRUS offers a sensitive, real-time and readily repeatable assessment of soft-tissue, inflammatory and bony changes in SLE hands.
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PMID:Hand arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus: an ultrasound pictorial essay. 1694 2


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