entheseal index
A scoring system to quantify the number and severity of enthesitis sites in juvenile spondyloarthritis patients.
Full Definition
The entheseal index is a standardized clinical assessment tool used to evaluate enthesitis in pediatric patients with spondyloarthritis. It systematically examines specific anatomical sites where tendons, ligaments, or joint capsules attach to bone, including the Achilles tendon insertion, plantar fascia insertion, patellar ligament attachments, and other predefined locations. Each site is scored based on the presence and severity of tenderness, swelling, or limitation of motion. This index provides an objective measure of disease activity and treatment response in juvenile enthesitis-related arthritis and helps guide therapeutic decisions.
Usage
Usage note: Specific to pediatric spondyloarthritis; distinguish from adult scoring systems.
In Context
- "The entheseal index score decreased from 12 to 3 after six months of anti-TNF therapy." — Treatment response evaluation
- "Standardized use of the entheseal index improved assessment consistency across the pediatric rheumatology clinic." — Quality improvement report