FRI0652 Median nerve ultrasound findings and clinical correlations in patients with systemic sclerosis: a comparative analysis with matched control subjects
Authors: J Sousa-Neves, M Cerqueira, D Santos-Faria, J Leite Silva, A Raposo, C Afonso, F Teixeira
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2017)

<h3>Background</h3> Median nerve (MN) entrapment in the carpal tunnel seems to be common in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Ultrasound (US) evaluation of MN in SSc patients was performed in some previous studies but conclusions were not linear (1). <h3>Objectives</h3> To compare specific MN US parameters of patients with SSc and a group of age and sex matched controls. To understand if specific clinical variables correlate with US parameters assessed in the group of SSc patients. <h3>Methods</h3> We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing MN US parameters of SSc patients followed up at our Rheumatology Unit and control subjects. Exclusion criteria included body mass index (BMI)&gt;30, previous wrist trauma and known diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Forty-eight out of 62 SSc patients and 45 healthy age and sex matched controls were enrolled. Subjects were consecutively evaluated in our Department. A General Electric LOGIQ S8 US with a 15 MHz linear transducer was used for assessment. MN cross-sectional area (MNA) and perimeter (MNP) of both sides of each person were measured at the level of the carpal tunnel inlet. For comparative analysis, the mean MNA and MNP of combined right and left side were used. Patients9 relevant clinical and demographic data were collected. Modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), hand mobility (HAMIS) and SSc Severity Scale (SScSS) were also assessed. Statistical analysis included Chi-Square test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation coefficient. P value &lt;0.05 was defined as statistically significant. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 186 MN were assessed by US. Both groups had the same proportion of diabetes and history of tunnel carpal surgery (p=0.803 and p=0.339, respectively). Median of MNA and MNP were significantly higher in SSc patients (7.5 mm<sup>2</sup> [6.6 to 9.5] and 13.8 mm [12.4 to 15], respectively) (median [interquartile range]) compared with controls (7.0 mm<sup>2</sup> [6 to 8] and 12.9 mm [11.7 to 14], respectively) (p=0.021 and p=0.018, respectively). Higher mRSS correlated with higher MNA (Spearman9s rho=0.335, p=0.02) and MNP (rho=0.336, p=0.02). Values of MNA and MNP did not correlate with age, disease duration, HAMIS and SScSS, and were similar according to categories of gender and subset of disease (p&gt;0.05). However, median of MNA and MNP were significantly different between the 3 phases of skin involvement (p=0.007 and p=0.009, respectively), being higher in patients in the oedematous phase (median MNA of 9.25 mm<sup>2</sup> [7.5 to 11.5] and median MNP of 14.5 mm [13.5 to 16.9]). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our study confirmed an increased MNA and MNP in SSc patients in comparison with healthy age and sex matched controls. Patients in the oedematous phase of skin involvement and patients with higher skin thickness assessed by mRSS showed higher MNA and MNP values. <h3>References</h3> Bandinelli F et al. Early detection of median nerve syndrome at the carpal tunnel with high-resolution 18 MHz ultrasonography in systemic sclerosis patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2010; 28:15–8. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared