Discordance Between Clinical and Ultrasound Examinations in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Author Information
Author(s): Hendry Gordon J, Steultjens Martijn PM, Gardner-Medwin Janet, Woodburn Jim, Turner Debbie E
Primary Institution: University of Western Sydney
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate agreement between clinical and ultrasound examinations of foot disease in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Conclusion
There is frequent discordance between clinical and ultrasound assessments of foot disease in JIA, indicating that ultrasound may be a useful tool to aid clinical examination.
Supporting Evidence
- Thirty patients with JIA were examined using both clinical and ultrasound methods.
- Subclinical foot disease was discovered in 52 joints, 5 tendons, and 4 soft tissue sites.
- Moderate agreement was found between the rheumatologist and podiatrist for active synovitis versus joint swelling.
Takeaway
Doctors used two different methods to check for foot problems in kids with arthritis, and they often found different results.
Methodology
Thirty patients with JIA underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations of foot joints, tendons, and soft tissues, with agreement estimated using Cohen’s kappa.
Limitations
The agreement between clinical and ultrasound assessments was consistently less than moderate.
Participant Demographics
Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95%
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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