El ultrasonido en el estudio del síndrome de codo doloroso: [revisión] / Ultrasound in the study of elbow pain syndrome: [review]

La ultrasonografía es una herramienta útil para la evaluación de las anormalidades del codo, especialmente aquellas relacionadas con artropatías inflamatorias, mecánicas y degenerativas, al deporte, con actividades repetitivas o con entesitis. Es una herramienta dinámica que permite evaluar tanto estructuras extraarticulares como los ligamentos, tendones, músculos, bursas, entesis, nervios y vasos, así como las estructuras intraarticulares como los recesos articulares, cartílagos y superficies óseas articuladas. El objetivo de esta revision es brindar una actualizacion del uso de este método de imagen en las patologías más frecuentes que afectan el codo.

Ultrasonography is a useful tool for evaluation of abnormalities of the elbow, especially those related to inflammatory arthritis, mechanical and degenerative diseases, sports with repetitive activities or enthesitis. It is a dynamic tool that provides an evaluation of extra-articular structures such as ligaments, tendons, muscles, bursas, enthesis, nerves and vessels, as well as intra-articular structures such as joint recess, cartilage and bone surfaces articulated. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the use of this method of image in the most common diseases that affect the elbow.

Costo directo semestral por artritis reumatoidea en pacientes que concurren a un hospital universitario / Semester direct cost by rheumatoid arthritis in patients in a university hospital

INTRODUCTION: There are no medical publications with economic analysis of rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA) from Argentina are lacking. The objective of the present study is to determine the direct cost and its breakdown in patients with RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients who met the American College of Rheumatology RA criteria were included. Direct cost was calculated over a follow-up period of 6 months during year 2001. Variables were analyzed with Student's T test, Mann-Whitney U Test, c' or ANOVA as corresponded. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The mean monthly home income was $426.6 SD 272. The mean half-yearly direct costs was $677.5 SD 376.2. The components of the direct cost were identified and the mean for medication cost was $606.7 (89 per cent), for lab tests was $45.5 (7 per cent), for medical attention $12.5 (2 per cent) and other costs $2.4. No differences in total cost or in medication cost were found when compared considering age, evolution time of RA or HAQ scores. CONCLUSION: Half-yearly direct cost in RA is excessively high considering the monthly mean income of the patients being analyzed. The cost of medication was the principal component of the direct cost.