AB1255 Sonographic assessment of normal peripheral joints: Evaluation according to joints, age and demographic variables
Authors: F.S. Machado, R.N.V. Furtado, R.D. Takahashi, A.L.P. Buosi, J. Natour
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2012)

<h3>Background</h3> To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports have addressed concomitantly quantitative and semi-quantitative sonographic measurements obtained from several peripheral joints of healthy people, and compared them among different age groups. <h3>Objectives</h3> To describe quantitative and semi-quantitative ultrasound measurements in healthy joints and compare them among different age groups. <h3>Methods</h3> Bilateral ultrasound measurement of small, medium and large joints were performed in 130 healthy adult volunteers, stratified into five age groups (A: 18-29, B: 30-39,C: 40-49, D: 50-59, E: 60-80 years), totalizing 46 joint recesses per patient. Sonographic measurements were correlated with age group and demographic variables: age, BMI, gender, skin color, smoking history and physical activity. My Lab 60 XVision machine (Esaote, Biomedica - Genova, Italy) with a linear probe (6-18 MHz) was used. Quantitative measurements of synovial recess (QSR) (mm) and semi-quantitative measures of synovial hypertrophy (SSH), Power Doppler (SPD) and bone erosion (SBE) (score 0-3), were performed. Articular cartilage (AC) at dorsal 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal (MCP) were also evaluated (score 0-4). <h3>Results</h3> 5,980 joint recesses were studied in 130 healthy adults; mean age 44.84, 76,9% women, 62,3% white. The mean (±SD) of QSR (mm) was: radiocarpal 2.0 (0.62); distal radioulnar 1.48 (0.37); ulnocarpal 1.39 (0.56); dorsal 2nd MCP 1.04 (0.54); palmar 2nd MCP 0.93 (0.66); dorsal 3rd MCP 0.81 (0.60); palmar 3rd MCP 0.83 (0.67); dorsal 2nd proximal interphalangeal joint of the hand (PIP) 0.47 (0.27); palmar 2nd PIP 0.85 (0.31); dorsal 3rd PIP 0.47 (0.35); palmar 3rd PIP 0.86 (0.35); coronoid fossa 1.07 (1.11); olecranean fossa 1.25 (1.16); glenohumeral (GH) axillary recess 2.46 (0.60); posterior GH recess 2.45 (0.52); hip 6.35 (1,25); knee 2.13 (1.47); talocrural (TC) 2.21 (1.09); talonavicular (TN) 2.61 (1.11); subtalar (ST) 2.16 (1.15), dorsal 1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint 2.16 (0.83); dorsal 2nd MTP 2.32 (0.86); dorsal 5th MTP 0.73 (0.68). The largest QSR measurements (p&lt;0.02) were observed in age groups D and E at the recesses: dorsal 2nd and 3rd PIP, dorsal 2nd and 3rd MCP, dorsal 5th MTP, palmar 2nd and 3rd MCP, olecranean fossa, TC and ST. The worst SSH scores (p&lt;0.02) were observed at age groups D and E in the recesses: palmar 2nd and 3rd MCP, palmar 2nd and 3rd PIP, dorsal 2nd and 3rd PIP, dorsal 3rd MCP, 5th dorsal MTP, TN and ST. The worst SPD scores (p&lt;0.016) were observed in age group E at the dorsal 3rd PIP and 3rd MCP. The worst SBE scores (p&lt;0.041) were observed in age group E at the recesses: radiocarpal, ulnocarpal and posterior GH. Minor AC changes (score 1) (p&lt;0.001) were observed in age groups D and E at the dorsal 2nd and 3rd MCP. There were few occasional correlations among ultrasound measurements and demographic variables. Inter-observer reliability (r) for the quantitative and semi-quantitative measurements ranged from 0.563 to 0.872 and 0.341 to 0.823, respectively. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Articular sonographic measurements were performed in several types of joints in healthy adults at different age groups. The older age groups had the worst measurement scores. <h3>References</h3> K Ellegaard et al, 2007. WA Schmidt et al, 2004. Szkudlarek M et al, 2003. DG Disler et al, 2000. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared