Edoardo Cipolletta1, Jana Hurnakova2, Andrea Di Matteo3, Marco Di Carlo4, Karel Pavelka5, Walter Grassi4, Emilio Filippucci4. 1. Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. edoardocipolletta@gmail.com. 2. Institute of Rheumatology and Department of Rheumatology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, and Department of Paediatric and Adult Rheumatology, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. 3. Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy, and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, UK. 4. Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. 5. Institute of Rheumatology and Department of Rheumatology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and distribution of the ultrasound (US) findings indicating cartilage and bone damage at the metacarpal head (MH) in a group of healthy subjects (HS), and their association with the clinical and US data. We also aimed to provide standard reference values of cartilage thickness. METHODS: US scans of the dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPj) from 2nd to 5th finger of both hands were performed in 179 HS. The presence of cartilage damage, osteophytes and bone erosions was recorded. RESULTS: Cartilage damage, osteophytes and bone erosions were found in at least one MCPj in 30 (16.8%), 17 (9.5%) and 4 (2.2%) out of 179 HS, respectively. Signs of cartilage damage were found in 91 out of 1432 MHs (6.4%). Blurring of the chondrosynovial margin, minimal and severe thinning were detected in 73.7%, 26.3% and 0% of the 91 MHs, respectively. Osteophytes and bone erosions were found in 31 (2.2%) and in 4 (0.3%) MCPjs. The thickness of the MH cartilage ranged between 0.41 and 1.10 mm in males and between 0.36 and 1.03 mm in females. A significant association was found between cartilage thickness and age (r=-0.33, p<0.001), sex (rpb=0.42, p<0.001), height (r=0.39, p<0.001) and osteophytes in the same joint (v=-0.54, p<0.001) and between working condition and osteophytes (v=0.31, p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study reports the prevalence of US findings of joint damage in a large cohort of HS. Moreover, standard reference values of the MH cartilage thickness in HS are provided.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and distribution of the ultrasound (US) findings indicating cartilage and bone damage at the metacarpal head (MH) in a group of healthy subjects (HS), and their association with the clinical and US data. We also aimed to provide standard reference values of cartilage thickness. METHODS: US scans of the dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPj) from 2nd to 5th finger of both hands were performed in 179 HS. The presence of cartilage damage, osteophytes and bone erosions was recorded. RESULTS: Cartilage damage, osteophytes and bone erosions were found in at least one MCPj in 30 (16.8%), 17 (9.5%) and 4 (2.2%) out of 179 HS, respectively. Signs of cartilage damage were found in 91 out of 1432 MHs (6.4%). Blurring of the chondrosynovial margin, minimal and severe thinning were detected in 73.7%, 26.3% and 0% of the 91 MHs, respectively. Osteophytes and bone erosions were found in 31 (2.2%) and in 4 (0.3%) MCPjs. The thickness of the MH cartilage ranged between 0.41 and 1.10 mm in males and between 0.36 and 1.03 mm in females. A significant association was found between cartilage thickness and age (r=-0.33, p<0.001), sex (rpb=0.42, p<0.001), height (r=0.39, p<0.001) and osteophytes in the same joint (v=-0.54, p<0.001) and between working condition and osteophytes (v=0.31, p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study reports the prevalence of US findings of joint damage in a large cohort of HS. Moreover, standard reference values of the MH cartilage thickness in HS are provided.
Authors: Edoardo Cipolletta; Gianluca Smerilli; Andrea Di Matteo; Jacopo Di Battista; Marco Di Carlo; Walter Grassi; Emilio Filippucci Journal: Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis Date: 2021-04-16 Impact factor: 5.346
Authors: Edoardo Cipolletta; Maria Chiara Fiorentino; Sara Moccia; Irene Guidotti; Walter Grassi; Emilio Filippucci; Emanuele Frontoni Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2021-03-01