Cardiovascular Risk in Digital Osteoarthritis

EIM is a non-invasive ultrasound technique in which an ultrasound-generating probe is conventionally placed opposite the right primary carotid artery. By distinguishing between an inner layer, consisting of the intima and media, and the outer layer, the adventitia, the intima-media thickness can be assessed.

Performed by the rheumatologist, to quantify the number of synovial thickenings in B mode and the number of synovitis in Doppler mode. The presence or absence of joint erosions on the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PPI) or distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints.

It's a measurement that detects endothelial dysfunction in coronary arteries using reactive hyperemia.This examination will be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by the Rheumatology Department nurse. The patient lies down for the duration of the examination (20 minutes). A probe is placed on the index finger of each hand and a cuff on the left arm. Recording begins with a 5-minute baseline period (at rest), followed by a 5-minute period of arm occlusion, and ends with a 5-minute period of return to normal.

This X-ray examination will be carried out on the Hologic device and the analyses by APEX 4.0 software. Two-photon X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a method commonly used to measure bone mineral density. It is based on a scan of the body by an X-ray beam at 2 different energy levels, which enables 3 compartments to be individualized: mineral mass, lean mass and fat mass. This low-radiation method (less than a conventional chest X-ray) is regarded as a benchmark for accurate measurement of both bone mineral density and the various body compartments. The examination lasts 10 minutes and is carried out by the department's electroradiology manipulators