Assessing Associations of Synovial Perfusion, Cartilage Quality, and Outcome in Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Sewerin, Philipp; Schleich, Christoph; Brinks, Ralph; Müller-Lutz, Anja; Fichter, Florian; Eichner, Markus; Schneider, Matthias; Ostendorf, Benedikt et al. · J Rheumatol · 2020

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

To assess associations of synovial perfusion, cartilage quality, and outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synovial perfusion and cartilage quality were assessed by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in metacarpophalangeal joints of 28 treatment-naive patients with RA at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after methotrexate. Analysis was by linear mixed modeling. Synovial perfusion variables were associated with remission (p < 0.05) and cartilage quality (p < 0.004). Maximum synovial enhancement was associated to European League Against Rheumatism response (p < 0.05). Synovial perfusion improved in nonresponders over time (p < 0.05). Synovial perfusion relates to remission, response, and cartilage quality in a cohort of therapy-naive patients with early RA.

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