The comparison of ultrasonographic and scintigraphic findings of early arthritis in revealing rheumatoid arthritis according to criteria of American College of Rheumatology

We aimed to investigate the diagnostic significance of high frequency ultrasonography (USG), comparing the findings in USG, bone scintigraphy and clinical stuation. Fifty-one patients who had early symptoms of inflammatory arthritis, but not fulfilling the ACR diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included in this study. They were referred to USG and bone scintigraphy for examination of the synovial joints. After following at least 2 years with visits at every 3 months, those who fulfilled the ACR criteria for the diagnosis of RA were defined as reference group. The concordance levels were assessed with Kappa statistic among them. The diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis that was made with USG in early time showed average agreement with the diagnosis according to ACR criteria. However, there was statistically discordance between the diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis that was made with bone scintigraphy in early time and the diagnosis according to ACR criteria.