How Does Ultrasound Global OMERACT–EULAR Synovitis Score (GLOESS) for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Activity Assessment Perform in Real‐Life?

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Global OMERACT–EULAR Synovitis Score (GLOESS) of bilateral second to fifth metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP 2–5) in evaluating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity in a real‐life setting.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included consecutive RA patients without hyperalgesia. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. Evaluations were conducted on bilateral MCP 2–5 by two independent experts in musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS). Correlation between clinical and ultrasonographic parameters was analyzed, aiming to define a cutoff value for detecting disease activity.ResultsSixty‐nine patients were included. The mean DAS28‐ESR was 4.3 (±1.4), and the median GLOESS was 7 (13). The correlation between GLOESS and DAS28 was moderate (r = .62; P < .05). A total GLOESS score of ≤3 and all joints with both GS and PD ≤1 showed good sensitivity and specificity for detecting disease activity (remission/low vs moderate/high, P = 0).ConclusionIn a real‐life scenario, GLOESS for MCP 2–5 emerges as a valuable measure of RA activity. The optimal cutoff distinguishing remission/low from moderate/high disease activity was determined to be GLOESS ≤3, with all MCP joints exhibiting both GS and PD scores of ≤1.