Ultrasound detects significantly low crystal deposition in gout by ULT: Study

This single-center study consecutively included patients with a recent flare of gout. Thye were manged by a treat-to-target approach with ULT. The patients were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months including bilateral ultrasound examinations of joints/tendons/entheses of hands, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. During follow-up, the number of depositions were quantified by applying a new semiquantitative scoring system of 0–3 of elementary lesions (double contour (DC), tophi, and aggregates).

209 of the patients were evaluated with ultrasound at baseline (mean (SD) age 56.4 (13.8) years and disease duration 7.9 (7.7) years, 95.2% were men). 

"The ultrasound scoring system for crystal depositions was sensitive to change and showed that a treat-to-target approach with ULT resulted in significant reductions of all the depositions, most extensively for DC," concluded the authors. 

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Hammer HB, Karoliussen L, Terslev L, Haavardsholm EA, Kvien TK, Uhlig T. Ultrasound shows rapid reduction of crystal depositions during a treat-to-target approach in gout patients: 12-month results from the NOR-Gout study. Ann Rheum Dis. Published online July 15, 2020. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-217392