Significance of High‐Frequency Sonography for the Subclinical Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives This study aims to investigate the use of high‐frequency sonography as a tool for detecting inflammatory and destructive changes in the hand and foot joints of patients with early and long‐term RA. Methods This study employs a prospective cohort design involving 162 patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who meet the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria. Patients were divided into two groups based on disease duration: Group 1 (n = 74) included patients with a disease duration of up to 2 years, or early РА (ERA;), Group 2 (n = 88) consisted of patients with a disease duration exceeding 2 years, or long‐term persistent РА (LtRA). All patients underwent a clinical assessment of their joints, as well as radiography and arthrosonography, at the beginning of the study and again at 6 and 12 months later. Results In the general group of patients, ultrasound examination revealed signs of synovitis in the joints of the hands more frequently (66%) compared with clinical examination (56% by a number of swollen joints [NSJ] and 55% by a number of painful joints [NPJ], P < .01). After 6 months of treatment, 12% of the patients achieved full US remission and 24% achieved partial US remission. Conclusions Within the scope of comprehensive RA diagnostics, arthrosonography of the joints of the hands and feet, utilizing a combination of greyscale and power Doppler, may surpass radiography in detecting early RA. This method allows for a more accurate assessment of disease activity and progression rates.