Novel Ultrasound Joint Selection Methods Using a Reduced Joint Number Demonstrate Inflammatory Improvement when Compared to Existing Methods and Disease Activity Score at 28 Joints

Objective: A pilot study testing novel ultrasound (US) joint-selection methods in rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Responsiveness of novel [individualized US (IUS) and individualized composite US (ICUS)] methods were compared with existing US methods and the Disease Activity Score at 28 joints (DAS28) for 12 patients followed for 3 months. IUS selected up to 7 and 12 most ultrasonographically inflamed joints, while ICUS additionally incorporated clinically symptomatic joints. Results: The existing, IUS, and ICUS methods’ standardized response means were −0.39, −1.08, and −1.11, respectively, for 7 joints; −0.49, −1.00, and −1.16, respectively, for 12 joints; and −0.94 for DAS28. Conclusion: Novel methods effectively demonstrate inflammatory improvement when compared with existing methods and DAS28.