Table 3

Studies comparing different imaging techniques or imaging versus palpation guidance at multiple joints and periarticular structures (PICO1)

Year authorSTUDY
DESIGN
ImagingComparatorDiseaseNo Imaging/
Comparator
Intervention (COMPOUND)SITEFAVORS imaging*FAVORS comparator*No difference between imaging and comparator*RoB†
US vs palpation guidance
2011
Sibbitt35
RCTUSPalpation guidanceInflammatory Arthritis124/120aspirationjoints1 x Safety (BSL, 2 w, 6 m)
2 x Efficacy (BSL to 12 m)
1 x Cost/Time (BSL to 12 m)1 x Cost/Time (BSL to 12 m)Embedded Image
2010
Cunnington36
RCTUSPalpation guidanceInflammatory Arthritis91/89injection
(triamcinolone, lidocaine, contrast agent iohexol)
joints1 x Accuracy (BSL)
1 x Efficacy (6 w)
1 x Efficacy (2 w)1 x Safety (BSL, 2, 6 w)
3 x Efficacy (BSL, 2, 6 w)
Embedded Image
2009
Sibbitt37
RCTUSPalpation guidancePainful arthritic joints
(100 RA, 48 OA)
74/74aspiration, injection
(lidocaine,
triamcinolone)
large and small joints1 x Safety (BSL,2w)
2 x Efficacy (2 w)
Embedded Image
2018
Nordberg34
Secondary analysis of RCTUSPalpation guidanceEarly RA118 (285 joints)
/112 (338 joints)
injection
(triamcinolone)
joints1 x Efficacy (BSL,12m)Embedded Image
2002
Balint38
Prospective cross-sectional
study
USPalpation guidancePatients for joint/soft tissue aspiration31/30aspiration and injectionjoints/soft tissue1 x Accuracy (BSL)1 x Accuracy (BSL)Embedded Image
US vs CT
2020
McKnee60
Retrospective cross-sectional studyUSCTReceiving imaging-guided synovial biopsy18/36synovial biopsyjoints1 x Accuracy (BSL)Embedded Image
US vs palpation guidance vs arthroscopy
2018
Humby39
Retrospective
cohort study
US-NB/
US-P&F
Palpation guidance/
Arthroscopy
Inflammatory
arthritis
US-NB: 31
US-P&F: 46
Palpation guidance: 23
Arthroscopy: 25
Synovial biopsySmall/large joints6 x Accuracy (BSL)
  • *These columns indicate the number of outcomes studied and their categories (eg, 6 × efficacy indicates that six different outcomes related to the efficacy category were studied), with the respective time point(s) when the outcome was determined (parenthesis). The term ‘BSL’ refers to differences concerning the outcomes at BSL. A detailed description of studies and outcomes can be found in supplement.

  • †A green, yellow, red and black circle indicate low, moderate, high and critical risk of bias, respectively. In case multiple circles are depicted, certain outcomes within one study had different risk of bias.

  • NB; needle biopsy; BSL, baseline; n.a., not applicable; OA, osteoarthritis; P&F, portal and forceps; PICO, Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RCT, randomised controlled trial; RoB, Risk of Bias; US, ultrasound.;