Abstract |
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) to detect changes in the sacroiliac joint regions after infliximab (an anti-TNF-α blocker) treatment in active axial ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. A total of 110 sacroiliac joints in 55 patients with active AS were detected by PDUS before and after the infliximab treatment. The color flow signals inside the sacroiliac joints were observed, and the resistance index (RI) was measured. The clinical condition of the AS patients was improved compared with their condition before the infliximab treatment. Before the treatment, color flow signals were observed in 103 joints, and the mean RI value was 0.56 ± 0.06. Three months after the first infliximab treatment, color flow signals were observed in 50 joints, and the mean RI value was 0.87 ± 0.11. There were more blood flow signals in the sacroiliac joints before the infliximab treatment in patients with active AS (p < 0.01), and the mean RI value was higher after the infliximab treatment (p < 0.01). The blood flow signals in the sacroiliac joints became weaker or even disappeared and the RI values increased in patients with active sacroiliitis after infliximab treatment. This result shows that PDUS can be used in the follow-up of patients with axial AS.
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Authors | Yeqing Jiang, Ling Chen, Jiaan Zhu, Qin Xue, Niansong Wang, Yunxia Huang, Fang Liu, Yizhou Hu, Bing Hu |
Journal | Rheumatology international
(Rheumatol Int)
Vol. 33
Issue 8
Pg. 2025-9
(Aug 2013)
ISSN: 1437-160X [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 23385982
(Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antirheumatic Agents
- Infliximab
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(therapeutic use)
- Antirheumatic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Feasibility Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Infliximab
- Male
- Sacroiliac Joint
(blood supply, diagnostic imaging)
- Sacroiliitis
(complications, diagnostic imaging, drug therapy)
- Spondylitis, Ankylosing
(complications, diagnostic imaging, drug therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
- Ultrasonography
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