Objective:

To systematically analyze published data on Optical Spectral Transmission (OST) for assessing inflammatory arthritis and its diagnostic performance compared to traditional methods, including DAS28, ultrasound, and MRI.

Key Findings:

• OST is a non-invasive, rapid, and operator-independent method for assessing joint inflammation, with implications for improving patient monitoring.
• The HandScan device measures light absorption affected by local blood flow in inflamed joints, providing real-time data.
• Factors such as sex, hand size, and osteoarthritis presence can influence OST's diagnostic accuracy, necessitating careful consideration in clinical application.

Interpretation:

OST shows promise as a diagnostic tool for inflammatory arthritis, potentially addressing limitations of traditional assessment methods like DAS28, ultrasound, and MRI, which can be subjective and time-consuming.

Limitations:

• Limited data on OST's diagnostic performance and its influence by various patient factors, such as demographic and clinical characteristics.
• Lack of prospective protocol registration for the systematic review, which may affect the reliability of the findings.

Conclusion:

OST could enhance the assessment of inflammatory arthritis, but further research is needed to validate its effectiveness and address influencing factors, particularly in diverse patient populations.