Anne-Christine Rat

Magnetic resonance imaging in osteoarthritis: which method best reflects synovial membrane inflammation? Correlations with clinical, macroscopic and microscopic features

OBJECTIVES : To study synovial membrane (SM) inflammation near the patella with different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches performed using a T1-injected sequence in knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to compare MRI results with macroscopic, microscopic and clinical findings. METHODS Fifteen patients fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for knee OA and requiring joint lavage completed a functional index (Lequesnes functional index) and a pain visual analog scale (VAS). SM inflammation near the patella was assessed on axial fat saturation post-injected T1 MRI images using three different methods: (1) semi-quantitative score=MRI synovitis score; (2) synovial membrane volume (SMV) analysis; (3) SMV with low (SMVL) (<0.3%/s(-1)), intermediate (SMVI) (0.3%/s(-1) to 1%/s(-1)) and high (SMVH) (> or =1%/s(-1)) speed of enhancement. Chondral lesions and SM inflammation were macroscopically graded and SM biopsies performed for microscopic scoring. RESULTS All MRI approaches exhibited excellent intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. MRI synovitis score correlated well with macroscopic (r=0.61, P=0.003) and total microscopic scores (r=0.55, P=0.03). Correlations between SMV and macroscopic (r=0.60, P=0.02) and microscopic congestion (r=0.63, P=0.01) were good. SMVH was correlated only with microscopic congestion (r=0.79, P=0.01). Low SMV was associated with neither macroscopic nor microscopic scores. However, it did correlate well with pain-VAS score (r=0.61, P=0.03) and moderately with a functional index (r=0.46, P=0.10). CONCLUSION The three MRI approaches used here provided highly reproducible information on SM inflammation near the patella in knee OA. Compared to SMV, MRI synovitis score seems sufficient to assess synovial inflammation but high SMV is an appropriate indicator of vascular congestion, and low SMV reflects pain in knee OA.

Total hip or knee replacement for osteoarthritis: Mid‐ and long‐term quality of life

To compare quality of life (QOL) scores 3 and 10 years after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis with QOL scores in a general population, and to determine factors associated with QOL after surgery.

Do clinical presentation and pre-operative quality of life predict satisfaction with care after total hip or knee replacement?

We conducted a multicentre cohort study of 228 patients with osteoarthritis followed up after total hip or knee replacement. Quality of life and patient satisfaction were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. Patient satisfaction was the dependent variable in a multivariate linear regression model. Independent variables included sociodemographic factors, pre- and post-operative clinical characteristics and the pre-operative and post-discharge health-related quality of life. The mean age of the patients was 69 years (sd 9), and 43.8% were male. Pre- and postoperative clinical characteristics were not associated with satisfaction with health care. Only pre-operative bodily pain (p<0.01) and pre-operative social functioning (p<0.05) influenced patient satisfaction with care. The pre-operative health-related quality of life and patient characteristics have little effect on inpatient satisfaction with care. This suggests that the impact of the care process on satisfaction may be independent of observed and perceived initial patient-related characteristics.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography in Healthy Subjects and Ultrasound Criteria for Early Arthritis (The ESPOIR Cohort)

Objective. To confirm the occurrence of bone erosions and synovitis in healthy subjects detectable by ultrasound (US) and to establish US criteria for early arthritis. Methods. Our study involved 127 healthy subjects matched with a cohort of patients with early arthritis (the ESPOIR cohort). The second and fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of both hands and feet were assessed with US to detect bone erosion; and the second, third, fourth, and fifth MCP and the fifth MTP were evaluated for synovial thickening in B-mode US and synovial vascularity in power Doppler. Bone erosion and synovitis were defined according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials consensus. Results. Bone erosion and grade 2–3 synovial thickening in B-mode were detected in 11% and 9% of healthy subjects. To consider the diagnosis of early arthritis, a cutoff at 1 case of synovial thickening in B-mode enabled discrimination between patients with early arthritis and healthy subjects, with a good sensitivity of 74.8% (95% CI 67.2%–82.3%) and a high specificity of 90.5% (95% CI 85.4%–95.6%). If higher specificity is required to confirm the diagnosis of early arthritis, cutoff at 2 cases of synovial thickening in B-mode or at 2 cases of bone erosion gave optimal results, with specificity of 98.4% (95% CI 96.2%–100%) and 100%, respectively, and lower sensitivity of 59.8% (95% CI 51.2%–68.3%) and 17% (95% CI 10.5%–23.5%) (area under the curve = 0.85 for synovitis and 0.63 for bone erosion). Neither the combination of power Doppler signal plus bone erosion, nor bone erosions plus synovial thickening on the same joint, were seen in healthy subjects. Conclusion. A single case of bone erosion or synovial thickening in B-mode is common in healthy subjects. However, more than 1 case of synovial thickening in B-mode or bone erosion is a strong argument for the diagnosis of early inflammatory arthritis.

Mapping the osteoarthritis knee and hip quality of life (OAKHQOL) instrument to the international classification of functioning, disability and health and comparison to five health status instruments used in osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES To map the content of the OsteoArthritis Knee and Hip Quality Of Life (OAKHQOL) scale to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). To compare the OAKHQOL with other instruments used in OA using the ICF core set for OA (OA core set). METHODS We mapped the 43 items of the OAKHQOL to ICF categories according to published linking rules. We used the OA core set to compare the linked OAKHQOL to available ICF linking results for five health status instruments frequently used in OA. RESULTS The 43 items of the OAKHQOL encompass 51 concepts linked to 27 different second-level ICF categories. Of the 55 OA core set categories, 20 could be linked to the OAKHQOL. Among the body function categories, several items describe sleep, pain and emotional function. Only 3 of 19 ICF activity and participation categories are not covered by the OAKHQOL. ICF environmental factors explored by the OAKHQOL include several important categories: drugs, products for personal use, support and relationships. The health status instruments that most comprehensively cover the OA core set are the OAKHQOL and the AIMS2-SF. All instruments address pain and restrictions in activity and participation but, except for the OAKHQOL and the AIMS2-SF, seldom cover emotional and sleep functions, participation in work and social life, and environmental factors. CONCLUSION Compared with other health status instruments commonly used in OA, the OAKHQOL covers the highest number of OA core set categories and captures specific aspects that are especially valuable to patients with knee and hip OA.

Validity of the global anti-phospholipid syndrome score to predict thrombosis: a prospective multicentre cohort study

OBJECTIVE To investigate the validity of the global APS score (GAPSS) to predict thrombosis in patients with autoimmune diseases. METHODS This prospective cohort study included consecutive patients with aPL or SLE. aPL, aPS-PT and GAPSS were determined. A Cox proportional hazards model assessed the validity of GAPSS and identified other potential independent predictors of thrombosis. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-seven patients [43.5 (s.d. 15.4) years old; 107 women] were followed up for a mean duration of 43.1 (s.d. 20.7) months. Mean GAPSS was significantly higher in patients who experienced a thrombotic event compared with those without [10.88 (s.d. 5.06) vs 8.15 (s.d. 5.31), respectively, P = 0.038]. In univariate analysis, age [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.04 (95% CI 1.01, 1.08)] and GAPSS above 16 [HR = 6.86 (95% CI 1.90, 24.77)] were each significantly associated with thrombosis during follow-up, while history of arterial thrombosis [HR = 2.61 (95% CI 0.87, 7.82)] failed to reach significance. Among aPL assays, IgG aPS/PT--a component of the GAPSS--was significantly associated with thrombosis [HR = 2.95 (95% CI 1.02, 8.51)]. In multivariate analysis, GAPSS above 16 remained the only significant predictor of thrombosis [HR = 6.17 (95% CI 1.70, 22.40)]. CONCLUSION This first external validation study confirmed that GAPSS can predict thrombosis in patients with aPL and associated autoimmune diseases.

Economic impact of lower-limb osteoarthritis worldwide: a systematic review of cost-of-illness studies

OBJECTIVE An overview of the economic consequences - overall costs as well as cost breakdown (direct and indirect) - of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) worldwide. METHODS A systematic literature search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane databases for articles was performed independently by two rheumatologists who used the same predefined eligible criteria. Papers without abstracts and in languages other than English or French were excluded. Extracted costs were converted to an annual cost and to 2013 euros (€) by using the Consumer Price Index of the relevant countries and the 2013 Purchasing Power Parities between these countries and the European Union average. RESULTS A total of 45 abstracts were selected, and 32 articles were considered for the review. The studied populations were heterogeneous: administrative, hospital and national health survey data. Annual total costs per patient ranged from 0.7 to 12 k€, direct costs per patient from 0.5 to 10.9 k€ and indirect costs per patient from 0.2 to 12.3 k€. The weighted average annual costs per patient living with knee and hip OA were 11.1, 9.5 and 4.4 k€ for total, direct and indirect costs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the heterogeneity of studies and lack of methodologic consensus to obtain reliable cost-of-illness estimates for lower-limb OA. However, costs induced by the disease seem substantial and deserve to be more extensively explored.

Factors associated with fatigue in early arthritis: Results from a multicenter national French cohort study

Fatigue frequently occurs in patients with early arthritis (EA). Determinants of its severity are unknown. We aimed to identify the factors associated with fatigue in EA and changes in fatigue after 1 year of followup.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis revealing endogenous Cushing's syndrome.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis is defined as accumulation of nonencapsulated fat within the spinal canal. It occurs chiefly in patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy or in obese patients without any other detectable cause. We report the second case of spinal epidural lipomatosis revealing endogenous Cushings syndrome.

Does joint effusion influence the clinical response to a single Hylan GF-20 injection for hip osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of a joint effusion on the clinical response to a single injection of Hylan GF-20 for hip osteoarthritis. METHOD We prospectively included patients scheduled for intraarticular Hylan GF-20 injection to treat hip osteoarthritis. Disease severity was assessed based on the Kellgren-Lawrence radiological grade. Ultrasonography was performed to look for a joint effusion. The pain score on a visual analog scale, Lequesne algofunctional index, and WOMAC scores were recorded at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months postinjection. The proportions of patients who met OARSI response criteria and who achieved Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds were determined in the overall population and in the groups with and without a joint effusion at baseline. RESULTS Of 55 included patients, 24 (44%) had an effusion at baseline. The baseline Lequesne index was significantly higher in the group with an effusion (11.9+/-3.6 versus 8.4+/-4.5) (p=0.003). The proportions of OARSI responders in the overall population were 31.8%, 39.4%, and 14.8% after 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The proportions of patients who achieved the PASS for pain and function were 52.4% and 50.0% after 1 month, 67.7% and 54.5% after 3 months, and 60.0% and 50.0% after 6 months, respectively. Presence of an effusion at baseline had no effect on any of the clinical response parameters. CONCLUSION Presence of a joint effusion is associated with worse pain and functional impairment at baseline but has no influence on the clinical response to Hylan GF-20 in patients with hip osteoarthritis.