Ultrasonography of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints in rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison with magnetic resonance imaging, conventional radiography and clinical examination

Table 4 Signs of inflammation on ultrasonography versus clinical joint assessment in finger joints

Signs of inflammation	US + clinical assessment	US only	Clinical assessment only	Joints with no signs of inflammation on US or clinical assessment	Number of joints examined	Agreement: US versus clinical assessment (%)
MCP 2nd	23	12	3	22	60	45 (75)
MCP 3rd	20	10	5	25	60	45 (75)
MCP 4th	8	11	2	39	60	47 (78)
MCP 5th	8	16	2	34	60	42 (70)
PIP 2nd	13	13	1	33	60	46 (77)
PIP 3rd	13	11	3	33	60	46 (77)
PIP 4th	12	7	1	40	60	52 (87)
PIP 5th	6	11	1	42	60	48 (80)
Total	103	91	18	268	480	371 (77)

The number of examined joints is higher than in the other tables because ultrasonography and clinical examination were performed on all finger joints, whereas MRI data were not available in 47 joints. All study participants included. Ultrasonography detecting signs of synovitis and/or joint effusion. Clinical joint assessment detecting swelling and/or tenderness. MCP, metacarpophalangeal; PIP, proximal interphalangeal; US, ultrasonography.

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