Early diagnosis is essential for the optimal treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Conventional X-rays only visualize the late signs of the disease outcome. There are evidences that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) are sensitive in detection of early inflammatory and destructive changes in RA. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of MSUS with MRI in early detection of hands and feet joints involvement in early RA. SUBJECT and METHODS: Forty patients with early RA (less than 12 months disease duration and no visible erosion in their conventional X-ray) were subjected to a detailed MSUS examination in a minimum of two planes (longitudinal and transverse) of both hands and feet joints. Eighty radio-carpal, 320 MCPs (excluding the 1st MCPs), 400 PIPs, 80 ankles, and 400 MTPs joints were examined for the presence of synovial thickening, effusion and erosions on initial evaluation and after 6 months. MRI examination of the hands and feet was arranged to be done at the same appointment of MSUS examination.

Early diagnosis is essential for the optimal treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Conventional X-rays only visualize the late signs of the disease outcome. There are evidences that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) are sensitive in detection of early inflammatory and destructive changes in RA. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of MSUS with MRI in early detection of hands and feet joints involvement in early RA. SUBJECT and METHODS: Forty patients with early RA (less than 12 months disease duration and no visible erosion in their conventional X-ray) were subjected to a detailed MSUS examination in a minimum of two planes (longitudinal and transverse) of both hands and feet joints. Eighty radio-carpal, 320 MCPs (excluding the 1st MCPs), 400 PIPs, 80 ankles, and 400 MTPs joints were examined for the presence of synovial thickening, effusion and erosions on initial evaluation and after 6 months. MRI examination of the hands and feet was arranged to be done at the same appointment of MSUS examination.

Early diagnosis is essential for the optimal treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Conventional X-rays only visualize the late signs of the disease outcome. There are evidences that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) are sensitive in detection of early inflammatory and destructive changes in RA. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of MSUS with MRI in early detection of hands and feet joints involvement in early RA. SUBJECT and METHODS: Forty patients with early RA (less than 12 months disease duration and no visible erosion in their conventional X-ray) were subjected to a detailed MSUS examination in a minimum of two planes (longitudinal and transverse) of both hands and feet joints. Eighty radio-carpal, 320 MCPs (excluding the 1st MCPs), 400 PIPs, 80 ankles, and 400 MTPs joints were examined for the presence of synovial thickening, effusion and erosions on initial evaluation and after 6 months. MRI examination of the hands and feet was arranged to be done at the same appointment of MSUS examination.

Early diagnosis is essential for the optimal treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Conventional X-rays only visualize the late signs of the disease outcome. There are evidences that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) are sensitive in detection of early inflammatory and destructive changes in RA. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of MSUS with MRI in early detection of hands and feet joints involvement in early RA. SUBJECT and METHODS: Forty patients with early RA (less than 12 months disease duration and no visible erosion in their conventional X-ray) were subjected to a detailed MSUS examination in a minimum of two planes (longitudinal and transverse) of both hands and feet joints. Eighty radio-carpal, 320 MCPs (excluding the 1st MCPs), 400 PIPs, 80 ankles, and 400 MTPs joints were examined for the presence of synovial thickening, effusion and erosions on initial evaluation and after 6 months. MRI examination of the hands and feet was arranged to be done at the same appointment of MSUS examination.

Background: Rheumatologic diseases are the most prevalent diseases orldwide. About one-third of physical disabilities in elderly are due to heumatologic etiological disorders as a primary cause. They are one of the main causes of disability and morbidity all over the world with great impact on the quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the profiles of rheumatic diseases of the admitted patients to Assiut University hospital and to compare them with that of non-Arabic countries. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 939 patients with heumatologic diseases during the period study (from January 2011 and April 2014). Diagnosis of the patients was done after fulfilling ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria of each disease and required investigations were also done for verifying related diagnosis. Results: The total number of patients was 939, with (79.1%) female predominance. Age ranged from 7-79 years with a mean ± SD 38 ±15.32. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was presented in 36.8%, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 14.3%, Crystal Arthropathy in 11.7%, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in 10.3%, Behçet disease (BD) in 8.3%, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 6.4%, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) in 5.8%, Overlap Syndrome in 2.9%, Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) in 0.3% and Adult onset Still`s Disease in 0.3%. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common rheumatologic disease followed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in admitted patients of the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine Department, Assiut University hospital.

Background: Rheumatologic diseases are the most prevalent diseases orldwide. About one-third of physical disabilities in elderly are due to heumatologic etiological disorders as a primary cause. They are one of the main causes of disability and morbidity all over the world with great impact on the quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the profiles of rheumatic diseases of the admitted patients to Assiut University hospital and to compare them with that of non-Arabic countries. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 939 patients with heumatologic diseases during the period study (from January 2011 and April 2014). Diagnosis of the patients was done after fulfilling ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria of each disease and required investigations were also done for verifying related diagnosis. Results: The total number of patients was 939, with (79.1%) female predominance. Age ranged from 7-79 years with a mean ± SD 38 ±15.32. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was presented in 36.8%, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 14.3%, Crystal Arthropathy in 11.7%, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in 10.3%, Behçet disease (BD) in 8.3%, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 6.4%, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) in 5.8%, Overlap Syndrome in 2.9%, Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) in 0.3% and Adult onset Still`s Disease in 0.3%. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common rheumatologic disease followed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in admitted patients of the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine Department, Assiut University hospital.

Background: Rheumatologic diseases are the most prevalent diseases orldwide. About one-third of physical disabilities in elderly are due to heumatologic etiological disorders as a primary cause. They are one of the main causes of disability and morbidity all over the world with great impact on the quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the profiles of rheumatic diseases of the admitted patients to Assiut University hospital and to compare them with that of non-Arabic countries. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 939 patients with heumatologic diseases during the period study (from January 2011 and April 2014). Diagnosis of the patients was done after fulfilling ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria of each disease and required investigations were also done for verifying related diagnosis. Results: The total number of patients was 939, with (79.1%) female predominance. Age ranged from 7-79 years with a mean ± SD 38 ±15.32. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was presented in 36.8%, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 14.3%, Crystal Arthropathy in 11.7%, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in 10.3%, Behçet disease (BD) in 8.3%, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 6.4%, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) in 5.8%, Overlap Syndrome in 2.9%, Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) in 0.3% and Adult onset Still`s Disease in 0.3%. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common rheumatologic disease followed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in admitted patients of the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine Department, Assiut University hospital.

Background: Rheumatologic diseases are the most prevalent diseases orldwide. About one-third of physical disabilities in elderly are due to heumatologic etiological disorders as a primary cause. They are one of the main causes of disability and morbidity all over the world with great impact on the quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the profiles of rheumatic diseases of the admitted patients to Assiut University hospital and to compare them with that of non-Arabic countries. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 939 patients with heumatologic diseases during the period study (from January 2011 and April 2014). Diagnosis of the patients was done after fulfilling ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria of each disease and required investigations were also done for verifying related diagnosis. Results: The total number of patients was 939, with (79.1%) female predominance. Age ranged from 7-79 years with a mean ± SD 38 ±15.32. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was presented in 36.8%, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 14.3%, Crystal Arthropathy in 11.7%, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in 10.3%, Behçet disease (BD) in 8.3%, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 6.4%, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) in 5.8%, Overlap Syndrome in 2.9%, Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) in 0.3% and Adult onset Still`s Disease in 0.3%. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common rheumatologic disease followed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in admitted patients of the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine Department, Assiut University hospital.

Background: Rheumatologic diseases are the most prevalent diseases orldwide. About one-third of physical disabilities in elderly are due to heumatologic etiological disorders as a primary cause. They are one of the main causes of disability and morbidity all over the world with great impact on the quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the profiles of rheumatic diseases of the admitted patients to Assiut University hospital and to compare them with that of non-Arabic countries. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 939 patients with heumatologic diseases during the period study (from January 2011 and April 2014). Diagnosis of the patients was done after fulfilling ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria of each disease and required investigations were also done for verifying related diagnosis. Results: The total number of patients was 939, with (79.1%) female predominance. Age ranged from 7-79 years with a mean ± SD 38 ±15.32. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was presented in 36.8%, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 14.3%, Crystal Arthropathy in 11.7%, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in 10.3%, Behçet disease (BD) in 8.3%, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 6.4%, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) in 5.8%, Overlap Syndrome in 2.9%, Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) in 0.3% and Adult onset Still`s Disease in 0.3%. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common rheumatologic disease followed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in admitted patients of the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine Department, Assiut University hospital.

Background: Rheumatologic diseases are the most prevalent diseases orldwide. About one-third of physical disabilities in elderly are due to heumatologic etiological disorders as a primary cause. They are one of the main causes of disability and morbidity all over the world with great impact on the quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the profiles of rheumatic diseases of the admitted patients to Assiut University hospital and to compare them with that of non-Arabic countries. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 939 patients with heumatologic diseases during the period study (from January 2011 and April 2014). Diagnosis of the patients was done after fulfilling ACR/EULAR diagnostic criteria of each disease and required investigations were also done for verifying related diagnosis. Results: The total number of patients was 939, with (79.1%) female predominance. Age ranged from 7-79 years with a mean ± SD 38 ±15.32. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was presented in 36.8%, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in 14.3%, Crystal Arthropathy in 11.7%, Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in 10.3%, Behçet disease (BD) in 8.3%, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 6.4%, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) in 5.8%, Overlap Syndrome in 2.9%, Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) in 0.3% and Adult onset Still`s Disease in 0.3%. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common rheumatologic disease followed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in admitted patients of the Rheumatology, Rehabilitation, and Physical Medicine Department, Assiut University hospital.