Efficacy and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Intra-articular Glucocorticoid Injection in Erosive Hand Osteoarthritis
Marta Favero, Ariela Hoxha, Paola Frallonardo, Augusta Ortolan, Mariagrazia Lorenzin, Mara Felicetti, Elisa Belluzzi, Andrea Doria, Roberta Ramonda
Abstract
Dear Editor, Erosive hand osteoarthritis (EHOA) is considered an aggressive form of hand OA (HOA), with severe local inflammation leading to marked joint destruction of the distal and proximal interphalangeal (DIP and PIP) joints [1]. According to the 2018 European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for HOA management, intra-articular injections of glucocorticoid (GC) may be considered in patients with painful interphalangeal joints, especially when clear joint inflammation is present [2]. Only two studies have been published in the literature demonstrating the efficacy of GC intra-articular injections in reducing swelling and pain in EHOA [3, 4]. In addition, ultrasound (US)-guided GC intra-articular injection has been demonstrated to determine a sharp decrease in skin temperature in EHOA, as an expression of inflammatory status [5]. While the radiological hallmark of EHOA is central erosion detected by x-ray, new imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging...