Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Differentiating Rheumatoid and Gouty Arthritis
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Gouty Arthritis (GA), Gout, Inflammatory Arthritis. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Role of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Differentiation of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gouty Arthritis Using Semi-Quantitative Scoring
Overview
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gouty arthritis (GA) are two common forms of joint inflammation that can present with very similar physical symptoms, making them difficult to tell apart early in the disease process. Accurate and early differentiation is crucial because the treatment strategies and long-term management for the two conditions are substantially different. The primary purpose of this observational study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in distinguishing between RA and GA. Ultrasound is a safe, radiation-free imaging tool that can visualize joint inflammation and structural changes in real-time. This study utilizes a structured semi-quantitative scoring system (graded on a scale of 0 to 3) to systematically measure the severity of joint lining thickness (synovial hypertrophy) and active blood flow (power Doppler signal). It also checks for crystal-related deposits, such as tophi or the double contour sign, which are highly suggestive of gout. Participants aged 18 and older with suspected or confirmed RA or GA who are referred for joint assessment at Assiut University Hospitals will undergo a standard clinical evaluation, routine laboratory testing, and an ultrasound examination of specific target joints (such as the wrists, hands, knees, and ankles). By comparing the ultrasound scores and specific structural findings between the two patient groups, the study aims to establish a reliable, standardized imaging approach to help physicians make faster, more confident diagnoses and initiate the correct disease-specific therapies sooner.
Primary outcome measures
- Semi-quantitative Gray-Scale Synovitis Score [Time frame: Baseline (Single assessment at the time of the cross-sectional ultrasound examination)]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
- Semi-quantitative Power Doppler Synovitis Score [Time frame: Baseline (Single assessment)]
- Presence of Double Contour Sign [Time frame: Baseline (Single assessment)]
- Presence of Tophi [Time frame: Baseline (Single assessment)]
- Frequency of Bone Erosions [Time frame: Baseline (Single assessment)]
- Frequency of Tenosynovitis [Time frame: Baseline (Single assessment)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Patients aged 18 years or older.
- Either sex.
- Patients with clinically suspected or confirmed rheumatoid arthritis.
- Patients with clinically suspected or confirmed gouty arthritis.
- Patients referred for musculoskeletal ultrasound assessment of painful, swollen, or inflamed joints.
- Patients able and willing to provide informed consent.
- Patients whose final diagnosis is established by clinical assessment, laboratory testing, and/or relevant imaging or synovial fluid analysis when available.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients younger than 18 years.
- Patients with septic arthritis or suspected joint infection.
- Patients with traumatic joint injury involving the target joint.
- Patients with other inflammatory arthropathies such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus if they may confound imaging interpretation.
- Patients with advanced osteoarthritis in the scanned joint if it markedly limits Faculty of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB) Assiut Medical School Research Proposal Form 5 interpretation.
- Patients with incomplete clinical records or insufficient ultrasound windows.
- Patients who refuse consent.
- Patients whose diagnosis remains uncertain after clinical workup.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07657156 · US Scoring: RA vs Gout