Ultrasonographic evaluation of distal femoral and talar cartilage thicknesses in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and their relationship with disease activity.

The results of this preliminary study using US indicate that the distal femoral and talus cartilage of patients with RA can be affected in the early period, and the cartilage thickness of patients seems to be associated with disease activity. These results may inspire new studies for the evaluation of femoral and talar cartilage with US. Key Points • The distal femoral and talus cartilage thicknesses seem to be affected in the early period of rheumatoid arthritis. • There may be a relationship between the distal femur and talus cartilage thicknesses and disease activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. • The tender joint count appears to be more associated with cartilage thickness than the swollen joint count in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.