Objective To compare the ultrasound signs of symptomatic joint lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gouty arthritis (GA), musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) was utilized.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 85 hospitalized patients with RA and 55 hospitalized patients with GA in the same period, and the differences in general data, diseased joints and ultrasound signs between the two groups were compared.Re-sults The gender, age and diseased joints of the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05).The de-tection rate of knee joint lesions was the highest;the RA group had high sensitivity, high specificity of meniscal in-jury, and high diagnostic efficiency of bone erosion, while the diagnostic performance of the three combined ultra-sound signs of punctate strong echo, double track sign and tophi in the GA group was higher than that of any indi-vidual diagnosis, and the sensitivity and specificity were also higher.The course of disease in the RA group was positively correlated with bone erosion (P<0.05) , and the course in the GA group was positively correlated with tophi (P<0.05).Conclusion The ultrasound signs of RA and GA are different, and MSUS has good value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the two.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of microvascular invasion (MVI) on postoperative prognosis of microhepatocellular carcinoma by a meta-analysis system.Methods:Relevant literatures in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang databases were systematically searched. The search period was from January 2012 to January 2022. The Chinese search terms were "liver cancer" , "hepatocellular carcinoma" , "2 cm" , "microvascular invasion" , and "prognosis" . The English search terms were "small" , "solitary small" , "up to 2 cm" , "< 2 cm" , "liver" , "hepatocellular carcinoma" , "microvascular invasion" . The differences in prognosis of patients with microhepatocellular carcinoma in MVI(+ ) group and MVI(-) group were compared. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software.Results:Finally, 7 articles were included in the systematic review, with a total of 1 319 patients. All included literatures were scored ≥7 on the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences in 1-year overall survival (OS) between MVI(+ ) group and MVI(-) group ( OR=3.14, 95% CI: 0.92-10.72, P=0.068). The 5-year OS time of patients in the MVI(+ ) group was shorter than that in the MVI(-) group, and the differences were statistically significant ( OR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.62-3.36, P<0.001). The 1-year and 5-year disease-free survival of the MVI(-) group were better than those of the MVI(+ ) group, and the difference was statistically significant (1-year: OR=3.09, 95% CI: 1.75-5.44, P<0.001; 5 years: OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.24-2.51, P=0.002). Conclusion:The 5-year and long-term survival of MVI(+ ) patients with microhepatocellular carcinoma was poor, and the postoperative recurrence rate was high.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency on gluco-corticoid induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:Three hundred and eleven patients with RA from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled in the study. One hundred and fifty-eight sex, age-matched normal subjects were recruited as control group. Clinical and laboratory features, daily dosage and treatment duration of glucocorticoid (GC) were recorded in detail. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by biological electrical impedance. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] were examined using electro-chemiluminescence. Bone mineral density (BMD) at total hip and lumbar vertebra were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Numerical data and categorical data comparisons were analyzed using χ2 test, non-parametric test, Logistic regression analysis test. Results:① The prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in RA patients was 33.4%(104/311), which was higher than that in the control group 12.7%(20/158)( χ2=23.267, P<0.01). Percentage of GC taking in 311 RA patients was 56.6%(176/311), and the prevalence of GIOP was 40.9%(72/176). The prevalence of sarcopenia in RA patients was 61.7%(192/311), which was higher than that in the control group [9.0%(14/156), χ2=117.310, P<0.01]. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in RA patients was 81.7%(254/311), which was higher than that in control group [38.0%(60/158), χ2=90.415, P<0.01]. ② The prevalence of OP in RA without sarcopenia was 17.6% (21/119), which was lower than that in patients with sarcopenia [43.2%(83/192), χ2=21.601, P<0.01]. In condition without GC, the prevalence of OP in RA without sarcopenia was 9.8%(6/61), which was significantly lower than that in patients with sarcopenia [35.1%(26/74), χ2=11.834, P<0.01]. Under circumstances with GC, the prevalence of OP in RA without sarcopenia (25.9%, 15/58), which was significantly lower than that in patients with sarcopenia (48.3%, 57/118, χ2=8.103, P<0.01). ③ No matter whether existing vitamin D deficiency or not, the prevalence of OP in RA without GC was 23.7%(32/135), which was significantly lower than that in patients with GC [40.9%(72/176), χ2=10.161, P<0.01]. In patients without vitamin D deficiency, the prevalence of OP in RA without GC was 21.4%(6/28), which was similar to that in patients with GC [31.0%(9/29), χ2=0.678, P>0.05]. In the case of vitamin D deficiency, the prevalence of OP in RA without GC was 24.3%(24/107), which was significantly lower than that in patients with GC [42.9% (63/147), χ2=9.370 2, P<0.01]. ④ In RA patients with GC, age( t=5.313, P<0.01), Sharp score ( Z=2.999, P<0.01), disease duration ( Z=2.141, P<0.05) and treatment duration of GC ( Z=2.460, P<0.05) were higher in group with GIOP than that in group without GIOP, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)( Z=2.262, P<0.05), C-reactive protein levels (CRP) ( Z=2.551, P<0.05) and body mass index (BMI) ( t=2.425, P<0.05) were lower and the composition ratio of X-ray staging was worse ( χ2=12.484, P<0.01).⑤ Logistic regression analysis (LR Backward) showed that female gender [ OR(95% CI)=14.240(3.878, 52.288), P<0.01], age [ OR(95% CI)=1.079(1.042, 1.118), P<0.01] and sarcopenia [ OR(95% CI)=2.470(1.192, 5.120), P<0.05] were the risk factors for GIOP in RA patients. Conclusion:The proportion of treatment with GC in RA patients is very high (about 60%), and the prevalence of GIOP is 40.9%, which is closely related to sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency.

Objective:To investigate the synergistic effect of sarcopenia and osteoporosis on the occurrence of spinal osteoporotic fracture (OPF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:A total of 389 hospitalized RA patients and 156 age and sex-matched normal subjects (control group) were recruited. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and hip, and bioelectrical impedance method was applied to determine skeletal muscle mass of limbs. X-ray examination of spin was conducted and spinal OPF was diagnosed according to semi-quality method. Student's t test was used for comparison of measurement date between the two groups, χ2 test was used for comparison of intergroup rates, and Logistic Regression(Backward LR) method was used for multivariate Regression analysis of binomial classification data. Results:BMD of all test sites in RA patients was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.01). The incidence of total OP in RA group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(32.9% vs 12.8%), χ2=22.706, P<0.01]. A total of 84 patients with RA developed spinal OPF, with an incidence of 21.6% which was higher than that in the control group [(3.8%), χ2=25.439, P<0.01]. The incidence of sarcopenia in RA was 54.8%, significantly higher than that in the control group [(9.6%), χ2=93.241, P<0.01]. The incidence of sarcopenia combined with osteoporosis in RA group (28.5%) was significantly higher than that in the control group [(5.8%), χ2=118.110, P<0.01]. Comparison of the incidence of spinal OPF in RA patients among groups with different bone mass (normal bone mass, osteopenia, osteoporosis) showed that the incidence of spinal OPF among these groups was statistically different ( χ2=43.373, P<0.01), and the incidence of spinal OPF increased along with the decrease of bone mass ( χ2=43.003, P<0.01). The incidence of spinal OPF in RA patients with sarcopenia (27.2%, 58/213) was significantly higher than that in RA patients without sarcopenia [(14.8%, 26/176), χ2=8.833, P=0.003]. All participants were divided into three groups: group 1=no OP and sarcopenia, group 2=with sarcopenia or OP, group 3=both sarcopenia and OP. Difference of incidence of spine OPF in RA patients among three groups was statistically significant ( χ2=33.832, P<0.01), and the incidence of spinal OPF raised gradually in group 1 and 3, ( χ2=37.164, P<0.01). Incidences of sarcopenia, OP and spinal OPF in RA treated with glucocorticoid (GC) were higher than those in RA without GC ( P<0.05, P<0.01). Results of logistic regression showed advanced age[ OR(95% CI)=1.069(1.038, 1.101), P<0.01], usage of GC [ OR(95% CI)=3.169(1.679, 5.984), P<0.01] and sarcopenia combined with OP [ OR(95% CI)=2.113(1.430, 3.124), P<0.01] were risk factors for spinal OPF in RA patients. Conclusion:Incidences of sarcopenia, OP and spinal OPF in RA patients are higher than that in normal controls. Sarcopenia and OP have a synergistic effect on spinal OPF in RA patients.

Objective To explore the prevalence and reference value of disease features of patients with spondyloarthritis. Methods Spondyioarthritis features and laboratory indexes and radiographic indexes of 505 patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) including 353 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 62 patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and 90 patients with peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) were recorded. One-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, x2-test, Logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results Sex ratio ( x2=20.673, P<0.01), age ( x2=22.258, P<0.01), disease duration ( x2=76.052, P<0.01) were different among AS, nr-axSpA and pSpA. Besides, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAScrp), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactionprotein (CRP) and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI)were different among SpA subgroups ( x2/F=13.196-40.028, P<0.01). Prevalence of inflammatory back pain, peripheral arthritis, preceding infection, positive human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and elevated CRP were different among SpA subgroups ( x2=11.416, 32.657, P<0.01). Prevalence of dactylitis in SpA with positive HLA-B27 was lower than that in SpA with negative HLA-B27 ( x2=5.414, P=0.02). Prevalence of enthesitis and dactylitis in SpA patients with peripheral arthritis was higher than that in SpA without peripheral arthritis involvement ( x2=7.177, 14.428, P<0.01). Prevalence of good response to Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAIDs) in patients with anterior uveitis involvement was higher than SpA without anterior uveitis involvement ( x2=4.578, P=0.032). SpA patients were stratified by total number of SpA features into 4 subgroups (n≤1, n=2, n=3, n≥4). Prevalence of inflammatory back pain, positive HLA-B27, good response to NSAIDs were the top three in all subgroups. Inflammatory back pain and HLA-B27 (+) were risk factors for axSpA (OR=3.254, 3.323, P<0.01). Peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, and preceding infection were risk factors for pSpA (OR=3.759, 4.134, 17.044, P<0.01). Conclusion Inflammatory back pain, HLA-B27 (+) and good response to NSAIDs should be emphasized for the diagnosis of SpA. Inflammatory back pain and HLA-B27(+) always means axSpA. Peripheral arthritis, dactylitis and preceding infection always indicates pSpA.

Objective: To investigate factors affecting X-ray structure of the spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 206 AS patients were recruited. Clinical and laboratory parameters in AS patients were recorded in detail. Disease activity index [Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAScrp)], X-ray structural damage index-modified stoke ankylosing spondylitis spine score (mSASSS) and grading results of radiographic examination of sacroiliac joint were calculated. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package form Soci-science(SPSS) 17.0 Chi-square test, rank test, Logistics regression analysis and other statistical methods were used. Differences of mSASSS levels, spine involvement (mSASSS>0) and rates of bone bridge formation were compared between different groups. Results: Incidences of spine involvement (100%) and bone bridge formation(65.2%) in AS patients ≥40 years old were significantly higher than those in AS patients <40 years old (90.6%、31.9%)(χ²=4.651, P=0.031; χ²=16.647, P<0.01), and the level of mSASSS was also higher (Z=5.575, P<0.01). In AS patients with BMI ≥24 kg/m², disease duration ≥5 years (49.2%, 50.4%), rates of bone bridge formation was significantly higher than those in AS with BMI <24 kg/m², but the disease duration (34.5%, 19.7%)(χ²=4.014, P=0.045; χ²=18.173, P=0.03), and mSASSS values were significantly higher (Z=2.281, P=0.023, Z=4.828, P<0.01). Bone bridge formation rate in smoking patients (50.6%) was significantly higher than that in non-smoking patients (31.0%) (χ²=7.346, P=0.007) and mSASSS value was significantly higher (Z=2.045, P=0.041). Bone bridge formation rates in AS with high-ESR and high-CRP(48.6%, 49.0%) were significantly higher than those in patients with normal-ESR and normal-CRP(25.6%, 28.9%)(χ²=10.784, P=0.001; χ²=8.102, P=0.004) and mSASSS value was clearly higher(Z=2.379, P<0.01; Z=3.112, P<0.01). Bone bridge formation rate in AS with BASDAI≥4 or ASDAScrp≥2.1 groups (52.8%, 46.4%) were significantly higher than that in AS with BASDAI<4 or ASDAScrp<2.1 groups (34.2%, 30.7%) (χ²=5.681, P=0.017; χ²=4.646, P=0.031) and mSASSS values were significantly higher (Z=3.887, P<0.01; Z=3.895, P=0.004). Rates of bone bridge formation among different X-ray grading of sacroiliac joint (10.8%, 35.6%, 60.3%) and MRI findings (33.3%, 50.0%, 15.4%) differed with each other (χ²=25.714, P<0.01; χ²=6.855, P=0.032). Logistics regression analysis showed that BMI [OR(95%CI)=1.145(1.037, 1.265), P<0.01], disease duration [OR(95%CI)=1.144(1.055, 1.239), P<0.01], smoking [OR(95%CI)=2.832(1.343, 5.969), P<0.01] and sacroiliac joint X-ray staging [OR(95%CI)=2.584(1.337, 4.997), P<0.01] were risk factors for the bone bridge formation in spine of AS. Conclusion Spinal involvement in AS is related to disease activity. Bone bridge formation correlateswith disease duration, BMI and disease-status, especially with smoking.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of balance deficiency and falls in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),and to explore the effect of above factors on osteoporotic fracture (OPF).Methods A total of 386 patients with RA and 158 age,gender-matched normal subjects from Jan 2013 to Oct.2015 were recruited.Antero-posterior and lateral X-rays scanning of vertebral column (T5-L5) were conducted for each individual,and semi-quantity method was used as the standard for determining vertebral OPF.Falls in 296 RA were recorded in details.The balance ability of 263 cases were measured by Berg balance scale.Statistical analysis was performed with ttest and Chi-square text and logistic regression analysis.Results ① The prevalence of vertebral OPF in RA was 17.4％(67/386),which was 4.5 times the prevalence of the control group (6/158,3.8％) (x2=17.743,P＜0.01).The occurrence rate of falls in RA was 20.3％ during the last year (60/296).② Compared to RA without OPF,patients with OPF had lower Berg balance score (43±14 vs 33±15,t=4.150,P＜0.01).Patients with falls also had lower Berg balance scale scorethan that in RA without falls (31± 16 vs 41±14,t=4.373,P＜0.01).③ The prevalence of falls during the last year in RA with vertebral OPF was 39.2％ (20/51),which was higher than that in RA without OPF (15.7％,22/140) (x2=12.036,P=0.01).The prevalence of falls during the last year in RA with Berg balance scale score ＜40 was 32.5％,which was higher than that in patients with Berg balance scale score≥40 (P＜0.01).Incidence of Berg balance scale score ＜40 in patients with OPF (68.8％,33/48) was higher than that in group without OPF (29.7％,35/118) (x2=21.558,P＜0.01).④ Logistic regression analysis found that age [OR=1.064,P=0.001,95％CI (1.025,1.103)] and falls [OR=2.735,P=0.021,95％CI(1.168,6.407)] were risk factors for OPF in RA patients,while Berg balance scale score [OR=0.957,P=0.016,95％CI (0.924,0.992)] was negatively correlated with spinal OPF in RA patients.Conclusion Falls and decreased balance capacity in RA are closely correlated with OPF in RA.

Objective To investigate the value of serum levels of peroxisome proliferater-activated receptor (PPAR)γin patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore the associations between serum PPARγwith disease activity of RA and RA-associated osteoporosis (OP).Methods One hundred and one cases of hospitalized patients with RA were enrolled.A total of 88 normal subjects during the same period were recruited as the control group.Levels of serum PPARγwere detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absortiometry.All the clinical and laboratory indexes of RA patients were recorded in detail.T-test (or t'-test) was used for comparison of measurement data between the two groups,non-parametric test was applied for skewed distribution data.Comparison of incidence was analyzed with x2 test,correlation analysis was represented ascorrelation coefficient (r).Results Binary logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate regression analysis.Serum levels of PPARγ(3.38/4.00 ng/ml) in RA patients were higher than thosein normal subjects (2.63/1.76) ng/ml (Z=3.204,P=0.001).The positive rate of serum levels of PPARγin RA was 35.6％ (36/101),while the positive rate in the controls was (2.3％,2/88,x2=32.602,P＜0.01).The incidence of OP in RA was 34.7％(35/101;while the levels of serum PPARγ in RA without OP at femur area (femoral neck,total hip) and lumbar spine (L1,L1-4) were higher than that in RA with OP (P＜0.05).Serum levels of PPARγ between groups with different disease activity had no significant difference (P＞0.05).Serum levels of PPARγ in RA with negative RF or negative anti-CCP were higher than thosetin the RA group with positive RF or positive anti-CCP(P＜0.05).Serum levels of PPARγ in RA were negatively correlated with serum RF,anti-CCP,hemoglobin (P ＜0.05-0.001),and positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate,platelet,BMD at sites of femur neck andWard (P＜0.05-0.001).Results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that levels of serum PPARγwere protective factors in RA for OP at femurneck [OR=0.577,P=0.005,95％CI (0.394-0.846)],and total hip [OR=0.754,P=0.033,95％CI (0.581-0.978)].Condusion Serum levels of PPARγ in patients with RA are significantly increased,and negatively correlate with autoantibodies.Serum levels of PPARγare protective factors for OP in RA.

Objective To explore the serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the relationship between FGF23 and RA disease activity and the occurrence of osteoporosis (OP).Methods Serum levels of FGF23 from 174 cases of patients with RA and 88 normal subjects were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.All the clinical and laboratory indexes of RA patients were recorded in details,disease activity score (DAS28) and health assess questionnaire (HAQ) were also calculated in the meantime.Radiographic changes in both hands of RA patients were assessed by Sharp's method.T test,nonparametric test,x2 test,correlation analysis and Logistic regressive analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results Serum levels of FGF3 [145.46(67.67,245.93) pg/ml] in RA patients were higher than the control group [32.64(12.34,44.70) pg/ml,Z=11.416,P＜0.01].The positive rate of serum levels of FGF23 (≥71.95 pg/ml) in RA was 74.7％(130/174),while the positive rate in control was 4.5％(4/88,x2=115.16,P＜0.01).The threshold of FGF23 serum levels for diagnosing RA was 48.56 pg/ml (AUC=0.932,Youden index=0.743,P＜0.01,sensitivity 89.1％,specificity 85.2％).In RA patients with serum FGF23 ≥48.56 pg/ml,compared with negative FGF23 group,VAS,HAQ,number of joint swelling and BMD at femoral neck,Ward,GT,Total hip,L4 and L1-4 were significantly higher in FGF23 positive group (P＜0.05).Linear correlation analysis found that in RA patients with serum FGF23 ≥48.56 pg/ml,anti-CCP was negatively correlated with serum FGF23 levels (r=-0.171,P=0.035).And DAS28 was positively correlated with serum FGF23 (r=0.163,P=0.045).BMD at femoral neck,Ward,GT,Total hip,L4 and L1-4 were negatively correlated with serum FGF23 (P＜0.05).Results of logistic regression analysis showed that sex (OR=8.518,95％CI (2.636,27.522),P＜0.01,age [OR=1.129,95％CI (1.079,1.180),P＜0.01] and Sharp score [OR=1.008,95％CI(1.003,1.013),P=0.001]were risk factors for OP in RA patients.BMI[OR=0.801,95％CI(0.707,0.909),P=0.001] was a protective factor for OP in RA patients.Conclusion Serum FGF23 level is significantly higher in RA patients.Meanwhile,the serum FGF23 level correlates with RA disease activity and BMD.

Objective To explore the changes of serum vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the clinical significance of association between serum VDBP with secondary osteoporosis (OP) in RA.Methods One hundred and sixty patients with RA were enrolled in the study.Eighty-three normal subjects were recruited as the control group.The concentration of serum VDBP was determined by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA),and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.Clinical and laboratory indexes of RA patients were recorded in detail and disease activity (DAS28) score,health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and Sharp score according to X-ray examination of both hands were calculated simultaneously.The t test was used to compare the metrological data between the two groups,and the x2 test was used to compare the intergroup rate.The correlation analysis was tested by Pearson correlation analysis,the ROC curve was used to analyze the threshold of the serum VDBP,and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis.Results ① Serum levels of VDBP in RA patients were higher than that in control group [(414±12) ng/ml vs (79±12) ng/ml,t=20.082,P＜0.01].Positive rate of serum levels of VDBP was 67.0％(118/176) in RA patients,which was higher than that in the control group (4.8％)(x2 =87.651,P＜0.01).② The threshold of serum VDBP levels for diagnosing RA was 193.74 ng/ml (AUC=0.943,Youden index=0.796,P＜0.01).③ DAS28 sore in group with positive VDBP was significantly higher than that in group with negative VDBP (P9=0.025).There was significant difference regarding on the incidence of OP in female RA patients between groups with positive and negative VDBP [41.9％(54/129) vs 31.8％(14/44),x2=4.325,P=0.038].④ Linear correlation analysis found that DAS28in RA patients was positively correlated with serum VDBP levels (r=0.252,P=0.019).And anti-CCP was negatively correlated with serum VDBP levels (r=-0.150,P=0.049).⑤ Results of logistic regression analysis showed that sex [OR=9.841,95％CI (1.349,71.810),P=0.024],age [OR=1.154,95 ％CI (1.069,1.245),P＜0.01] and Sharp score [OR=1.102,95％CI (1.002,1.021),P=0.018] were risk factors for OP in RA patients.Conclusion Serum VDBP levels are significantly higher in patients with RA.Meanwhile,serum VDBP levels are correlated with disease activity and secondary OP in RA.