Emad Y et al. – This study reports that after 2 months treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the MRI improved considerably especially regarding synovial thickening in patients with early undifferentiated oligoarthritis of knee joints. Methods
Study to describe (i) the findings with MRI in pts with early undifferentiated OA of the knee joint(s) and (ii) the early effect after 2 mos of treatment with only MTX and HCQ
15 consecutive pts with undifferentiated OA of the knee joint(s) were recruited
The mean age: 31.7 yrs; mean disease duration: 15.3 mos
Synovial fluid analysis, RF, anti-CCP2 antibodies, ANA, CRP, ESR, and routine laboratory investigations were performed in all pts
Enhanced MRI was done at initial evaluation and after 2 mos treatment
Results
4/15 pts had positive RF and 6 had positive anti-CCP2
After treatment with DMARDs, a regression was seen regarding effusion and synovitis in all pts
In 1/3 pts, the bone edema had regressed
Synovial thickening as measured by enhanced MRI decreased significantly and correlated with the improved ESR and CRP
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