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Research ArticleRheumatoid Arthritis

T2 Mapping as a New Method for Quantitative Assessment of Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nina Renner, Arnd Kleyer, Gerhard Krönke, David Simon, Stefan Söllner, Jürgen Rech, Michael Uder, Rolf Janka, Georg Schett, Goetz H. Welsch and Milena L. Pachowsky
The Journal of Rheumatology June 2020, 47 (6) 820-825; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.180728
Nina Renner
From the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, the Department of Internal Medicine 3, and the Department of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU); Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen; UKE Athleticum, University Hospital of Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Arnd Kleyer
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Gerhard Krönke
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David Simon
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Stefan Söllner
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Jürgen Rech
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Michael Uder
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Rolf Janka
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Georg Schett
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Goetz H. Welsch
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Milena L. Pachowsky
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  • For correspondence: milena.pachowsky@uk-erlangen.de
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Abstract

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with damage of the articular cartilage and the periarticular bone. While imaging of bone damage has substantially improved in recent years, direct imaging of the articular cartilage of the hand joints in patients with RA is still challenging. The study used T2 mapping of the finger joints to assess cartilage damage in RA.

Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 Tesla was done in 30 patients with RA, and T2 relaxation times visualizing alteration in the collagen network and hydration of articular cartilage were mapped in 6 cartilage regions of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints 2 and 3. Values were related to autoantibody status [anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), rheumatoid factor (RF)], disease duration, and disease activity as well as sex and age of the patients.

Results. T2 relaxation times could be reliably measured in the 6 regions of the MCP joints. Significantly higher relaxation times indicating more advanced cartilage alterations were observed in the metacarpal heads of ACPA-positive (p = 0.001–0.010) and RF-positive patients (p = 0.013–0.025) as well as those with longer disease duration (> 3 yrs; p = 0.028–0.043). Current disease activity, sex, and age did not influence T2 relaxation times.

Conclusion. These data show that cartilage damage can be localized and quantified in the hand joints of patients with RA by T2 mapping. Further, ACPA and RF positivity as well as disease duration appear to be the crucial factors influencing cartilage damage.

Key Indexing Terms:
  • MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
  • T2 MAPPING
  • CARTILAGE
  • ANTICITRULLINATED PROTEIN ANTIBODIES
  • RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Footnotes

  • This project was supported in part by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research at the University Hospital of the FAU (ELAN P005) and by the Emerging Fields Initiative (EFI) of the FAU and the STAEDTLER Stiftung (EFI_Verbund_Med_05_MIRACLE to GK, MLP, and AK).

  • Accepted for publication July 30, 2019.
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The Journal of Rheumatology
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1 Jun 2020
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T2 Mapping as a New Method for Quantitative Assessment of Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Nina Renner, Arnd Kleyer, Gerhard Krönke, David Simon, Stefan Söllner, Jürgen Rech, Michael Uder, Rolf Janka, Georg Schett, Goetz H. Welsch, Milena L. Pachowsky
The Journal of Rheumatology Jun 2020, 47 (6) 820-825; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.180728

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T2 Mapping as a New Method for Quantitative Assessment of Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Nina Renner, Arnd Kleyer, Gerhard Krönke, David Simon, Stefan Söllner, Jürgen Rech, Michael Uder, Rolf Janka, Georg Schett, Goetz H. Welsch, Milena L. Pachowsky
The Journal of Rheumatology Jun 2020, 47 (6) 820-825; DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.180728
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Keywords

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
T2 MAPPING
CARTILAGE
ANTICITRULLINATED PROTEIN ANTIBODIES
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

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Keywords

  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • T2 MAPPING
  • cartilage
  • ANTICITRULLINATED PROTEIN ANTIBODIES
  • rheumatoid arthritis

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