Significant improvement in MRI-proven bone edema is associated with protection from structural damage in very early RA patients managed using the tight control approach.

Significant improvement in MRI-proven bone edema is associated with protection from structural damage in very early RA patients managed using the tight control approach.

June 2012



Kita J, Tamai M, Arima K, Kawashiri SY, Horai Y, Iwamoto N, Okada A, Koga T, Nakashima Y, Suzuki T, Yamasaki S, Nakamura H, Origuchi T, Ida H, Aoyagi K, Uetani M, Eguchi K, Kawakami A.

Source

Unit of Translational Medicine, Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To identify the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-proven bone edema in patients with very early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS:

All of the 13 patients included in the study were positive at entry for MRI-proven bone edema of the wrist and finger joints and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies or IgM-rheumatoid factor. A tight control approach was applied for 12 months. Plain MRI and radiographs of both wrist and finger joints were examined every 6 months. MRI was scored by the RA MRI scoring (RAMRIS) technique and plain radiographs were scored using the Genant-modified Sharp score. Variables that were correlated with plain radiographic changes at 12 months were examined.

RESULTS:

Simplified disease activity index (SDAI) remission was achieved in 7 patients, and a significant reduction in the RAMRIS bone edema score, which declined to .... see article at link below. Program does not allow complete paragraph to be shown here.

CONCLUSIONS:

Improvement in  bone edema may be associated with protection against structural damage in very early RA patients managed using the tight control methods.

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