Clinical Application of Infrared Thermography in Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging
• Thermology

Background:

• Rheumatic diseases (RDs) encompass a range of musculoskeletal conditions.
• Accurate diagnosis and monitoring are crucial for effective management of RDs.
• Non-invasive, cost-effective tools are needed to improve patient outcomes in RDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the clinical applications of infrared thermography (IRT) in rheumatic diseases.
• To evaluate IRT's potential as a non-invasive tool for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment assessment in RDs.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searches were performed across multiple databases including Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.
• Data extraction and quality assessment were performed on 51 included studies.

Main Results:

• IRT demonstrated utility across various RDs, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, scleroderma, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
• It effectively detected joint inflammation, monitored disease progression, and assessed treatment responses in several conditions.
• Results for fibromyalgia were mixed, and effectiveness in small joints for rheumatoid arthritis was limited.

Conclusions:

• Infrared thermography (IRT) shows significant potential as a non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool for rheumatic diseases.
• While effective across various RDs, its utility varies by condition and complements existing diagnostic methods.
• Standardization of protocols and further research are necessary to confirm IRT's widespread clinical utility.