Ultrasound joint examination by an automated system versus by a rheumatologist: from a patient perspective

Bill Aplin Frederiksen, Maja Schousboe, Lene Terslev, Nikolaj Iversen, Hanne Lindegaard, Thiusius Rajeeth Savarimuthu, Søren Andreas Just*

*Kontaktforfatter

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Abstract

Background: The Arthritis Ultrasound Robot (ARTHUR) is an automated system for ultrasound scanning of the joints of both hands and wrists, with subsequent disease activity scoring using artificial intelligence. The objective was to describe the patient’s perspective of being examined by ARTHUR, compared to an ultrasound examination by a rheumatologist. Further, to register any safety issues with the use of ARTHUR. Methods: Twenty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had both hands and wrists examined by ultrasound, first by a rheumatologist and subsequently by ARTHUR. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were obtained after the examination by the rheumatologist and by ARTHUR. PROs regarding pain, discomfort and overall experience were collected, including willingness to be examined again by ARTHUR as part of future clinical follow-up. All ARTHUR examinations were observed for safety issues. Results: There was no difference in pain or discomfort between the examination by a rheumatologist and by ARTHUR (p = 0.29 and p = 0.20, respectively). The overall experience of ARTHUR was described as very good or good by 92% (n = 23), with no difference compared to the examination by the rheumatologist (p = 0.50). All (n = 25) patients were willing to be examined by ARTHUR again, and 92% (n = 23) would accept ARTHUR as a regular part of their RA clinical follow up. No safety issues were registered. Conclusions: Joint ultrasound examination by ARTHUR was safe and well-received, with no difference in PRO components compared to ultrasound examination by a rheumatologist. Fully automated systems for RA disease activity assessment could be important in future strategies for managing RA patients. Trial registration: The study was evaluated by the regional ethics committee (ID: S-20200145), which ruled it was not a clinical trial necessary for their approval. It was a quality assessment project, as there was no intervention to the patient. The study was hereafter submitted and registered to Odense University Hospital, Region of Southern Denmark as a quality assessment project and approved (ID: 20/55294).

OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer30
TidsskriftAdvances in Rheumatology
Vol/bind62
Antal sider10
ISSN2523-3106
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 8. aug. 2022

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
Trine Meier from the University of Southern Denmark for helping in PRO data collection. We are also indebted to all the study subjects and personnel at Svendborg Hospital-OUH contributing data to this study. SAJ is supported by a grant from the Region of Southern Denmark (21/17499).

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