Background: Sacroiliitis is the hallmark of axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA). ASAS-EULAR management recommendations for axSpA, consider glucocorticoid injections directed to the local site of musculoskeletal inflammation as a treatment option for pain relief, besides treatment with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) before starter biotechnological treatment. However, there are few studies to evaluate efficacy of this technique with a small number of patients and a short follow-up. Ultrasonography has been used as a valuable option to guide this technique.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided injections of sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in patients with sacroiliitis using clinical and laboratory outcomes at baseline and at 4-6 ^th weeks.

Methods: This study involved patients with axSpA with acute sacroiliitis, ≥18 and ≤ 65 years old, with body mass index (BMI) < 30kg/m ² attending the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic, which had been poorly controlled (ASDAS>2.1) by conventional therapy (physiotherapy, NSAIDs at maximum tolerated dosing during ≥ 4 weeks). Sociodemographic, clinical (disease duration, BMI, BASDAI, BASFI, ASDAS) and laboratory (CRP) data was collected from the medical records at baseline and at 4-6 ^th weeks.

Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25. Continuous variables were described with mean/median ± standard deviation (SD).

SIJs injection was performed, under ultrasound guidance, using standard procedures with 2mL of lidocaine 1% and 40mg of methylprednisolone, with a 22-gauge needle. The procedure was performed by the same operator. Written informed consents were obtained from all patients.

Results: We performed eleven sacroiliac injection in eleven consecutive patients (one procedure per patient). Nine patients (81.8%) were female, mean age (±SD) of 40.6(±9.4) years, median disease duration(±SD) of 0.9(±6.2) years and median BMI(±SD) of 24.2(±3.3). Eight patients (72.7%) had Nr-axSpA. All patients were non-responders to NSAIDs.

At 4-6 ^th weeks there was a decreased in median (±SD) BASDAI (5.4±1.9 vs 4.1±1.9), BASFI (4.2±1.4 vs 3.5±2.3) and ASDAS (3.2±0.8 vs 2.2±0.6) indexes.

Conclusion: As previous studies demonstrated, this technique seems to be safe and quite effective.

Our goal is to increase the number of patients undergoing this technique and have a longer follow up to evaluate its efficacy. The study has several limitations: the mid- and long-term effects should be evaluated in the future based on the results of the short-term effects and the study was not conducted as a double-blinded, controlled study.

REFERENCES:

[1]van der Heijde D, Burgos-Vargas R, Ramiro S.,et al. ASAS/EULAR recommendations for the management of ankylosing spondylitis. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 76:978–991

[2]Maugars Y, Mathis C, Vilon P, Prost A. Corticosteroid injection of the sacroiliac joint in patients with seronegative spondylarthropathy. Arthritis Rheum 1992; 35:564–8.

[3]Pekkafahli MZ, Kiralp MZ, Basekim CC et al. Sacroiliac joint injections performed with sonographic guidance. J Ultrasound Med 2003;22:553–9

[4]Klauser A, De Zordo T, Feuchtner G et al. Feasibility of ultrasound-guided sacroiliac joint injection considering sonoanatomic landmarks at two different levels in cadavers and patients. Arthritis Rheum 2008; 59:1618–1624.

Disclosure of Interests: Ana Rita Cunha: None declared, Carolina Mazeda: None declared, Renata Aguiar: None declared, Anabela Barcelos Speakers bureau: Bene, Eli-Lilly, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis