Abstract
Objective To assess associations of synovial perfusion, cartilage quality and outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods Synovial perfusion and cartilage quality were assessed by dynamic contrastenhanced magnetic resonance imaging in metacarpophalangeal joints of 28 treatment-naïve RA patients at baseline, 3 and 6 months after methotrexate. Analysis was by linear mixed modelling.
Results Synovial perfusion parameters were associated to remission (p<0.05) and cartilage quality (p<0.004). Maximum synovial enhancement was associated to EULAR response (p<0.05). Synovial perfusion improved in non-responders over time (p<0.05).
Conclusion Synovial perfusion relates to remission, response, and cartilage quality in a cohort of therapy naïve, early RA patients.
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