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Aim and Objective: To evaluate the association between ultrasonographic findings of inflammation (effusion, synovitis) and clinical findings in patients with primary painful knee osteoarthritis., Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 142 patients with primary painful knee osteoarthritis (American College of Rheumatology criteria) in whom the visual analogue scale of pain was 30 or more. Clinical parameters were evaluated by a rheumatologist using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score while the ultrasonographic examination was performed by a musculoskeletal radiologist in our center. Knee joint synovitis and effusion were defined as synovial thickness ≥ 4 mm and depth of fluid in the suprapatellar recess ≥ 4 mm, respectively., Results: Sixty-eight (47.9%) patients demonstrated neither synovitis nor effusion, 37 (26.1%) had only effusion, 11 (7.7%) had only synovitis and 26 (18.3%) had both effusion and synovitis in the ultrasonographic examination. There was significant association between ultrasonographic knee arthritis (defined as presence of synovitis or effusion) and WOMAC pain sub-score, WOMAC physical function sub-score and WOMAC total score. No significant association was noted between sonographic signs of arthritis and WOMAC joint stiffness sub-score. We also found significant correlation between ultrasonographic synovitis and WOMAC pain sub-score (P < 0.001), WOMAC physical function sub-score (P < 0.001) and total WOMAC score (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: This study revealed a positive correlation between ultrasonographic synovitis and total WOMAC score, WOMAC pain and physical function sub-score. There was no association between sonographic signs of arthritis and WOMAC joint stiffness sub-score., (© 2016 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background and Aim: Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, and cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in NAFLD patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between the presence and severity of NAFLD and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 296 patients (122 men and 174 women, with mean age 54.10 ± 9.33 years) referred to the catheterization laboratory of Imam Reza Hospital affiliated to the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, for elective coronary angiography to investigate the presence and severity of CAD. Additionally, all patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography (USG) to detect NAFLD and its severity. Results: Among the 296 patients, 187 (63.2%) had CAD and 160 (50.1%) had NAFLD. NAFLD patients had significantly higher prevalence of obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.002–1.094), hypertension (OR = 1.909, 95% CI = 1.027–3.55), hyperlipidemia (OR = 3.474, 95% CI = 1.862–6.482), and CAD (OR = 2.009, 95% CI = 1.100–3.669). The percentage of patients with normal vessels was higher in the non‐NAFLD group, followed by the group with mild and severe NAFLD (P < 0.001). However, single‐ and multi‐vessel disease incidences among the non‐NAFLD, mild, and severe NAFLD groups were 36.1, 43.1, and 63.7%, respectively. Interestingly, the percentage of patients with two‐vessel stenosis was significantly higher in severe NAFLD patients than mild and non‐NAFLD patients (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of NAFLD were independently associated with CAD. Mild NAFLD was primarily observed among patients with normal and non‐obstructive coronary artery patients, while severe NAFLD was more frequent in extensive CAD patients with multi‐vessel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]