High resolution ultrasound detects a decrease in pannus vascularisation of small finger joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving treatment with soluble tumour necrosis factor α receptor (etanercept)

Abstract

Objective: High resolution ultrasound (HRUS) was used to investigate the effects of tumour necrosis factor cc (TNFα) blockade on pannus formation and vascularisation of small finger joints in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Five patients with active RA were treated with etanercept, a soluble TNFα receptor protein, for one month. Before, during, and after treatment the patients were followed up by clinical rheumatolagical examination, determination of their subjective pain score, blood chemistry, and by HRUS of the second metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the right hand. Results: One month after treatment with etanercept, rheumatological examination showed a significant decrease in a modified single joint rheumatic disease activity index (from 2.9 (SD 0.2) to 1.2 (0.7); p