SERVICE EVALUATION OF ULTRASOUND USE IN PATIENTS WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS IN A UK TERTIARY PAEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY CENTRE, AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPING AN EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDELINE

Background/Aims Some studies have shown that ultrasound can be more sensitive than clinical examination in detection of synovitis and improves diagnostic accuracy when clinical examination is in doubt. This study aimed to review if ultrasound results correlate with the clinical impression in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and determine if imaging helps to change management and assist in the optimisation of radiology resources, by improving our knowledge of when ultrasound is suitable. Methods We designed a retrospective study to review cases of JIA aged 1-18 years who have had an ultrasound requested from clinic between September 2021 - April 2022. Patients were excluded from study if; diagnosis was uncertain, new patients with JIA and patients with arthritis as part of a systemic inflammatory disorder. Data was collected from the radiology database and electronic patient record (MEDITECH). Results A total of 40 patients matched eligibility criteria with ultrasound performed on average 4 weeks after request. 13 (32.5%) male and 27 (67.5%) female with an average age of 11.7 years (3 -18 years). Of these patients 16 (40%) failed to demonstrate any active clinical signs of arthritis or tenosynovitis in clinic. The most common reasons for scan in this cohort included parental concern (43.75%) and difficulty of examination (12.5%). Other reasons included: patient reporting pain or morning stiffness in the absence of clinical signs during the consult. In these patients 13 (81.25%) were normal and 3 (18.75%) demonstrated chronic changes. Ultrasound in these patients did not lead to any change in treatment. 22 (55%) of patients demonstrated clinical signs of arthritis in clinic. 7 (31.2%) of these demonstrated active arthritis or tenosynovitis and subsequently had treatment changes in the form of a steroid injection (n = 5) or change in systemic medication (n = 5). Of those that had clinical signs but no active arthritis on ultrasound, 8 (36.4%) scans were found to be non-diagnostic / demonstrated chronic synovial thickening and 7 scans were normal (32%). 2 (5%) patients were seen in virtual clinic and not examined; both had a normal scan. Small joints of the ankles (26%) and hands (23%) are the most common joints scanned. Conclusion The use of ultrasound demonstrates benefit when clinical findings are present, and the scan allows clinicians to differentiate between active synovitis, tenosynovitis and chronic damage. In patients whose clinical examination does not show signs of inflammation, there is less evidence in this study for the use of ultrasound, and we should trust our clinical acumen. Disclosure L.A. Stead: None. N. Malde: None. L. McCann: None. N. Barnes: None. C. Landes: None. K. Gargh: None.