Simultaneous Evaluation of Distal Femoral and Talar Cartilage Thicknesses and Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Is There Any Relationship with Other Domains of Health?

Abstract

Background/Aims: To evaluate the distal femoral cartilage thickness (FCT) and talar cartilage thickness (TCT) and the frequency of neuropathic pain (NeP) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate their relationships with each other and other domains of health.

Materials and Methods: The study included 35 patients with RA, who had a maximum disease duration of up to 1 year and 35 healthy controls (HCs) with demographic characteristics similar to the patients. Bilateral FCT and TCT of all participants were measured using ultrasonography. Pain, disease activity, level of functioning, quality of life (QoL), and anxiety and depression were evaluated with appropriate scales/questionnaires. Additionally, the presence of NeP was assessed with the painDETECT questionnaire.

Results: Distal FCT (central, medial, and lateral regions) and TCT in the right and left extremities were not different between patients with early RA and HCs. Cartilage thicknesses were largely similar between the active and inactive patient subgroups. Patients with RA exhibited a significantly higher frequency of NeP than HCs (17.2% vs. 0%) (P = .012). There was a weak positive correlation between some parameters measuring disease activity and unilateral and/or bilateral FCT/TCT values. Conversely, C-reactive protein showed a weak negative correlation with right extremity (medial and lateral) FCT. No clear relationship was observed between cartilage thickness and NeP, functional status, QoL, or anxiety and depression. In addition, NeP showed significant associations with pain, most disease activity scores, anxiety, and QoL; however, it was not associated with swollen joint counts, acute phase reactants, or functional status.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that distal FCT and TCT may not be affected in the early stages of RA. However, there is an increase in the frequency of NeP compared to the HCs. The presence of NeP seems to be associated with disease activity, QoL, and mental health, but not with cartilage thickness.

Cite this article as: Kaplan H, Cengiz G, Akay R, Köksal M, Talay Çalış H. Simultaneous evaluation of distal femoral and talar cartilage thicknesses and neuropathic pain in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: Is there any relationship with other domains of health?. ArchRheumatol. 2026;41(1):47-56.