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Objectives The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the responsiveness of gout-specific US lesions representing urate deposition in patients receiving treat-to-target urate-lowering therapy using a binary and the OMERACT-defined semi-quantitative scoring systems; (ii) to determine the most responsive US measure for urate deposition and the optimal joint/tendon set for monitoring this. Methods US (28 joints, 14 tendons) was performed in microscopically verified gout patients initiating/increasing urate-lowering therapy and repeated after 6 and 12 months. Static images/videos of pathologies were stored and scored binarily and semi-quantitatively for tophus, double contour sign (DC) and aggregates. Lesion scores were calculated at patient level, as were combined crystal sum scores. Responsiveness of lesions—scored binarily and semi-quantitatively—was calculated at both patient and joint/tendon levels. Results Sixty-three patients underwent longitudinal evaluation. The static images/videos assessed retrospectively showed statistically significant decreases in tophus and DC, when scored binarily and semi-quantitatively, whereas aggregates were almost unchanged during follow-up. The responsiveness of the semi-quantitative tophus and DC sum scores were markedly higher than when using binary scoring. The most responsive measure for urate deposition was a combined semi-quantitative tophus-DC-sum score. A feasible joint/tendon set for monitoring included knee and first–second MTP joints and peroneus and distal patella tendons (all bilateral), representing the most prevalent and responsive sites. Conclusion The OMERACT consensus-based semi-quantitative US gout scoring system showed longitudinal validity with both tophus and DC being highly responsive to treatment when assessed in static images/videos. A responsive US measure for urate deposition and a feasible joint/tendon set for monitoring were proposed and may prove valuable in future longitudinal studies.

Objectives To investigate time trends in baseline characteristics and retention, remission and response rates in bio-naïve axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients initiating TNF inhibitor (TNFi) treatment. Methods Prospectively collected data on bio-naïve axSpA and PsA patients from routine care in 15 European countries were pooled. Three cohorts were defined according to year of TNFi initiation: A (1999–2008), B (2009–2014) and C (2015–2018). Retention, remission and response rates were assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months. Results In total, 27 149 axSpA and 17 446 PsA patients were included. Cohort A patients had longer disease duration compared with B and C. In axSpA, cohort A had the largest proportion of male and HLA-B27 positive patients. In PsA, baseline disease activity was highest in cohort A. Retention rates in axSpA/PsA were highest in cohort A and differed only slightly between B and C. For all cohorts, disease activity decreased markedly from 0 to 6 months. In axSpA, disease activity at 24 months was highest in cohort A, where also remission and response rates were lowest. In PsA, remission rates at 6 and 12 months tended to be lowest in cohort A. Response rates were at all time points comparable across cohorts, and less between-cohort disease activity differences were seen at 24 months. Conclusion Our findings indicate that over the past decades, clinicians have implemented more aggressive treatment strategies in spondyloarthritis. This was illustrated by shorter disease duration at treatment initiation, decreased retention rates and higher remission rates during recent years.

Objectives In a 2-year follow-up study of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in clinical remission who tapered TNF inhibitor (TNFi) treatment according to a clinical guideline, we aimed to investigate the proportion who successfully tapered/discontinued therapy and baseline predictors thereof. The proportion regaining clinical remission after flare and the progression on MRI/radiography were also assessed. Methods One-hundred-and-nine patients (78 [72%]/31 [28%] receiving standard and reduced dose, respectively) in clinical remission (BASDAI < 40, physician global score < 40) and no signs of disease activity the previous year tapered TNFi as follows: to two-thirds of standard dose at baseline, half at week 16, one-third at week 32 and discontinuation at week 48. Patients experiencing clinical, BASDAI or MRI flare (predefined criteria) stopped tapering and escalated to previous dose. Prediction analyses were performed by multivariable regression. Results One hundred and six patients (97%) completed 2 years’ follow-up; 55 patients (52%) had successfully tapered: 23 (22%) receiving two-thirds, 15 (14%) half, 16 (15%) one-third dose and 1 (1%) discontinued. In patients at standard dose at baseline (n = 78), lower physician global score was the only independent predictor of successful tapering (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79 [95% CI: 0.64, 0.93]; P = 0.003). In the entire patient group lower physician global score (OR = 0.86 [0.75, 0.98]; P = 0.017), lower Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) Sacroiliac Joint Erosion score (OR = 0.78 [0.57, 0.98]; P = 0.029) and current smoker (OR = 3.28 [1.15, 10.57]; P = 0.026) were independent predictors of successful tapering. At 2 years, 97% of patients were in clinical remission. Minimal changes in imaging findings were observed. Conclusion After 2 years following a clinical guideline, 52% of patients with axSpA in clinical remission had successfully tapered TNFi, only 1% discontinued. Baseline physician global score was an independent predictor of successful tapering.

Background Dual-energy CT (DECT) can acknowledge differences in tissue compositions and can colour-code tissues with specific features including monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. However, when evaluating gout patients, DECT frequently colour-codes material not truly representing MSU crystals and this might lead to misinterpretations. The characteristics of and variations in properties of colour-coded DECT lesions in gout patients have not yet been systematically investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties and locations of colour-coded DECT lesions in gout patients. Methods DECT of the hands, knees and feet were performed in patients with suspected gout using factory default gout settings, and colour-coded DECT lesions were registered. For each lesion, properties [mean density (mean of Hounsfield Units (HU) at 80 kV and Sn150kV), mean DECT ratio and size] and location were determined. Subgroup analysis was performed post hoc evaluating differences in locations of lesions when divided into definite MSU depositions and possibly other lesions. Results In total, 4033 lesions were registered in 27 patients (23 gout patients, 3918 lesions; 4 non-gout patients, 115 lesions). In gout patients, lesions had a median density of 160.6 HU and median size of 6 voxels, and DECT ratios showed an approximated normal distribution (mean 1.06, SD 0.10), but with a right heavy tail consistent with the presence of smaller amounts of high effective atomic number lesions (e.g. calcium-containing lesions). The most common locations of lesions were 1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP1), knee and midtarsal joints along with quadriceps and patella tendons. Subgroup analyses showed that definite MSU depositions (large volume, low DECT ratio, high density) had a similar distribution pattern, whereas possible calcium-containing material (high DECT ratio) and non-gout MSU-imitating lesions (properties as definite MSU depositions in non-gout patients) were primarily found in some larger joints (knee, midtarsal and talocrural) and tendons (Achilles and quadriceps). MTP1 joints and patella tendons showed only definite MSU depositions. Conclusion Colour-coded DECT lesions in gout patients showed heterogeneity in properties and distribution. MTP1 joints and patella tendons exclusively showed definite MSU depositions. Hence, a sole focus on these regions in the evaluation of gout patients may improve the specificity of DECT scans.

Objective To evaluate ultrasound for diagnosing gout using consensus-based Outcome Measures in Rheumatology ultrasound definitions of gout lesions. Methods Ultrasound was performed in patients with clinically suspected gout. Joints (28) and tendons (26) were binarily evaluated for the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology gout lesions—double contour (DC), tophus, aggregates and erosions. Ultrasound assessment was compared with two reference standards: (i) presence of MSU crystals in joint/tophus aspirate (primary outcome) and (ii) ACR/EULAR 2015 gout classification criteria (secondary outcome). Both reference standards were evaluated by rheumatologists blinded to ultrasound findings. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of each ultrasound lesion against both reference standards were determined. Results Eighty-two patients (70 men), mean age 62.4 (range 19–88) years, were included. Fifty-seven patients were MSU-positive whereas 25 patients were MSU-negative (no MSU crystals: 23; aspiration unsuccessful: 2). Of these 25 patients, three patients were classified as ACR/EULAR-positive (i.e. totally 60 ACR/EULAR-positive patients). All ultrasound lesions had high sensitivities for gout (0.77–0.95). DC and tophus showed high specificities (0.88–0.95), positive predictive values (0.94–0.98) and accuracies (0.82–0.84) when both reference standards were used. In contrast, low specificities were found for aggregates and erosions (0.32–0.59). Ultrasound of MTP joints for DC or tophus, knee joint for DC and peroneus tendons for tophus was sufficient to identify all MSU-positive patients with ultrasound signs of gout at any location. Conclusion Ultrasound-visualized DC and tophus, as defined by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology ultrasound group, show high specificities, positive predictive values and accuracies for diagnosing gout and are therefore valid tools in clinical practice.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the sensitivity to change of ultrasound structural gout lesions, as defined by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasound group, in patients with gout during urate-lowering therapy (ULT).MethodsUltrasound (28 joints, 26 tendons) was performed in patients with microscopically verified gout initiating or increasing ULT and repeated after 3 and 6 months. Joints and tendons were evaluated by ultrasound for presence of the OMERACT structural gout lesions—double contour sign (DC), tophus, aggregates and erosion—scored binarily. A sum score was calculated at patient and lesion level. Changes at 3 and 6 months in patient sum scores and lesion scores at different locations were evaluated.Results50 patients (48 men), mean age 68.9 (range, 30–88) years, were included. Ultrasound showed a statistically significant decrease in DC and tophus sum scores from 0 months (3.16 and 2.68, respectively) to 3 months (2.33 and 2.43) and 6 months (1.34 and 1.83) (all p1 lesions bilaterally), and furthermore MTP2–4 and knee joints were common sites especially for DC. Likewise, these regions were the locations with most pronounced changes in scores.ConclusionUltrasound assessment of the OMERACT structural gout lesions scored binarily seems to be a useful tool for monitoring urate depositions during ULT. Particularly DC and tophus showed sensitivity to change after only 3 months of treatment.

The use of ultrasonography has a considerable potential for diagnosis and monitoring of gout due to its capacity to detect urate crystal deposits in joints, e.g. on the cartilage surface, visualised as the double contour sign, and in soft tissues, e.g. as tophi. Furthermore, ultrasonography can visualise both synovitis and bone erosion. Consensus-based definitions for ultrasonographic elementary lesions in gout were validated in 2015, and ultrasonography is already included in the 2015 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for gout. This report evaluates the current literature on the use of ultrasonography for diagnosing and monitoring gout.