This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Dermal temperature may accurately, quickly identify patients at risk for radiographic damage from RA
Results from this study suggest dermal joint temperature may be an efficient tool to accurately identify patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have greater odds of developing radiographic damage and could benefit from biologics.
Researchers identified patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Using a dermal thermometer, they categorized 104 patients into a “hot joint” group (that had joint skin temperature that was warmer than their body temperature) and categorized 104 patients into a “cool joint” group. Patients who had not been treated with a biologic therapy were given methotrexate. At baseline and 1 year, hand/wrist radiographs were reviewed and then scored using the Sharp/van der Heijde scale.
Results showed patients with hot joints had a mean joint temperature of 1.06° F higher than their central body temperature. Investigators noted patients with hot joints had a four-fold higher chance of sustaining new radiologic damage compared with patients who had cool joints. The sensitivity and specificity was 92% and 78%, respectively, for joint temperature to predict radiographic damage for the following year. According to researchers, patients with hot joints were younger, had more recent onset of RA and also had higher Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.