To compare thermography with ultrasonography and clinical joint assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Thermography and ultrasonography (power Doppler (PD) and grey-scale (GS) joint inflammation scored semi-quantitatively 0-3) were performed sequentially on both hands of 37 RA patients. Using generalised estimating equations analysis, (a) thermographic parameters (TP) were compared between joints based on their PD and GS joint inflammation positivity/negativity status, while (b) TP and ultrasound-detected joint inflammation were compared between joints categorised by their clinical swelling/tenderness status.
Comparing PD positive versus negative joints, the differences in mean values (95% CI) for TP including maximum (T
Joints in RA patients have significantly higher temperature readings when ultrasound-detected joint inflammation is present. Swollen tender/non-tender joints exhibited a greater degree of ultrasound-detected joint inflammation than non-swollen non-tender joints, although their temperature readings were not significantly higher.