Abstract:

Article presents a review of the scientific literature containing data on the role of ultrasound examination of joints in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, ultrasound signs of damage of main elements of joints and periarticular tissues, modern semi-quantitative scales for assessing the severity of main pathological changes detected by ultrasound examination of joints and tendons in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: was to analyze scientific publications in domestic and world literature on ultrasound examination of joints in rheumatoid arthritis.

Materials and methods: 38 scientific sources of leading domestic and foreign journals were analyzed.

Results: currently, radiography is the gold standard in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and is widely used to monitor the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is not sensitive enough to detect changes at early stage of rheumatoid arthritis, since it only allows assessing bone structures that are involved in the pathological process 6-12 months after the onset of first signs of the disease. Ultrasound examination provides new possibilities for early detection of rheumatoid arthritis, since it allows to detect changes at early pre-radiological stage and to prevent the development of significant structural changes leading to early disability of patients.

Conclusion: the use of ultrasound examination of joints in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis accelerates the diagnosis, is used to dynamically assess the course of the disease, evaluate the effectiveness of therapy, and also to predict outcomes. The diagnostic effectiveness of ultrasound examination of joints in rheumatoid arthritis involves the identification of synovitis, tenosynovitis, structural changes in the articular cartilage and bone (erosion), and an assessment of the severity of the inflammatory reaction.