ROLE OF DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND IN ASSESSMENT OF DISEASE ACTIVITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Authors:

Nadica Laktašić Žerjavić, Porin Perić

Summary

Since biologics have been introduced for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis a need for reliable imaging modality to assess treatment efficacy have been opened. In the last years through technological advances diagnostic ultrasound has become highly sensitive and specific method for detection of inflammatory and destructive changes in rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, high resolution ultrasound enhanced by power Doppler has been recognized in clinical studies and in every day work as useful method for assessment of disease activity. Here we give special interest in application of diagnostic ultrasound enhanced by power Doppler for assessment of inflammatory activity, therapeutic decision and monitoring to attain remission in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Sažetak
Napredak tehnologije u ultrazučnoj dijagnostici mišićnokoštanog sustava omogućio je visoku osjetljivost i specifičnost dijagnostičkog ultrazvuka u detekciji upale i destruktivnih promjena u reumatoidnom artritisu, a s druge strane primjena biološke terapije u liječenju reumatoidnog artritisa dovela je do potrebe za razvojem sve osjetljivijih i pouzdanijih mjernih instrumenata za procjenu učinkovitosti liječenja. Tako je ultrazvuk nadopunjen power doplerom prepoznat prvo u kliničkim istraživanjima, a potom i u svakodnevnoj kliničkoj praksi, kao metoda procjene aktivnosti bolesti u bolesnika s reumatoidnim artritisom. Stoga je u članku dan poseban naglasak na primjenu dijagnostičkog ultrazvuka nadopunjenog upotrebom power doplera u procjeni aktivnosti bolesti što pomaže u donošenju terapijske odluke i praćenju bolesnika s reumatoidnim artritisom, a s krajnjim ciljem postizanja remisije bolesti.

Vol.: 59

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