Evaluation of ultrasonographic cartilage and muscle thickness in female rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee pain

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to show the effect of ultrasonographic muscle and cartilage thickness measurements on knee pain in RA patients.

Methods

In this cross-sectional and single-blind study, female patients aged 30–50 years old, diagnosed with RA, and in remission or low disease activity for at least 6 months were included. They were divided into two groups: with and without knee pain. Knee cartilage thickness measurements from 3 compartments, Quadriceps and Hamstring muscle thickness measurements were performed by ultrasound by a physician blinded to the patients’ pain conditions.

Results

Of the 130 patients included in the study; the number of comorbidities in the group with knee pain(n = 61) and glucocorticoid use in the group without knee pain(n = 69) were significantly higher. No significant difference was detected in all cartilage and muscle thickness measurements in the groups with and without knee pain. The average cartilage thickness was found to be significantly lower in patients using glucocorticoids. A low level, positive and significant correlation was detected between cartilage thickness in the medial condyle and age and body mass index(BMI); and between cartilage thickness in the lateral condyle and BMI.

Conclusion

There is significant loss of muscle and cartilage thickness in RA patients, even if it is not directly compatible with the pain condition. Being able to evaluate these losses with ultrasound in the follow-up and treatment of the disease is a great power in the hands of the physician.