The purpose of this study is to compare the data obtained by computer-aided quantification of the synovial perfusion in patients with arthritis using two-dimensional and three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography and the clinical data used to represent the degree of joint inflammation. Intra- and inter-observer reliability of this method will also be determined.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with at least one painful swollen peripheral joint observed by a rheumatologist, including:

  • shoulder joints
  • elbow joints
  • wrist joints
  • metacarpophalangeal (MCP) AND
  • proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of hands, ankle joints, subtalar joints, mid-tarsal joints, MTP and PIP joints of feet

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with active infection
• patients with concurrent malignant disease
• patients with a history of traumatic, septic, or cystal arthritis
• previous joint surgery, or isotopic synovectomy within the past 12 months before the study

Arthritis patients who visited the Rheumatology out patient clinic in Taichung Veterans General Hospital