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.