Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Differentiating Rheumatoid and Gouty Arthritis (NCT07657156) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Differentiating Rheumatoid and Gouty Arthritis
100 participantsStarted 2026-07
Plain-language summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gouty arthritis (GA) are two common forms of joint inflammation that can present with very similar physical symptoms, making them difficult to tell apart early in the disease process. Accurate and early differentiation is crucial because the treatment strategies and long-term management for the two conditions are substantially different.
The primary purpose of this observational study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in distinguishing between RA and GA. Ultrasound is a safe, radiation-free imaging tool that can visualize joint inflammation and structural changes in real-time. This study utilizes a structured semi-quantitative scoring system (graded on a scale of 0 to 3) to systematically measure the severity of joint lining thickness (synovial hypertrophy) and active blood flow (power Doppler signal). It also checks for crystal-related deposits, such as tophi or the double contour sign, which are highly suggestive of gout.
Participants aged 18 and older with suspected or confirmed RA or GA who are referred for joint assessment at Assiut University Hospitals will undergo a standard clinical evaluation, routine laboratory testing, and an ultrasound examination of specific target joints (such as the wrists, hands, knees, and ankles). By comparing the ultrasound scores and specific structural findings between the two patient groups, the study aims to establish a reliable, standardized imaging approach to help physicians make faster, more confident diagnoses and initiate the correct disease-specific therapies sooner.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients aged 18 years or older.
* Either sex.
* Patients with clinically suspected or confirmed rheumatoid arthritis.
* Patients with clinically suspected or confirmed gouty arthritis.
* Patients referred for musculoskeletal ultrasound assessment of painful, swollen, or inflamed joints.
* Patients able and willing to provide informed consent.
* Patients whose final diagnosis is established by clinical assessment, laboratory testing, and/or relevant imaging or synovial fluid analysis when available.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients younger than 18 years.
* Patients with septic arthritis or suspected joint infection.
* Patients with traumatic joint injury involving the target joint.
* Patients with other inflammatory arthropathies such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus if they may confound imaging interpretation.
* Patients with advanced osteoarthritis in the scanned joint if it markedly limits Faculty of Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB) Assiut Medical School Research Proposal Form 5 interpretation.
* Patients with incomplete clinical records or insufficient ultrasound windows.
* Patients who refuse consent.
* Patients whose diagnosis remains uncertain after clinical workup.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial uses musculoskeletal ultrasound to try to tell apart rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis — could having this kind of ultrasound evaluation help clarify which type of inflammatory arthritis I actually have, and is that something worth discussing with you before I consider joining?
2Since this study is not yet recruiting, how long do I realistically need to wait before it opens, and is it better for me to pursue a diagnosis through standard methods right now rather than waiting?
3The trial is measuring something called a 'semi-quantitative gray-scale synovitis score' — can you explain in plain terms what that means for my joints, and how useful that kind of measurement is compared to what you'd normally use to diagnose me?
4Because this is a diagnostic study rather than a treatment trial, what would actually happen to my care if I joined — would I still receive my normal treatment, or would anything be delayed or changed while data is being collected?
5If this ultrasound-based approach turns out not to be available to me, what other tools or tests do you currently use to distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and gout, and are those already accurate enough to guide my treatment?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Semi-quantitative Gray-Scale Synovitis Score
Timeframe: Baseline (Single assessment at the time of the cross-sectional ultrasound examination)