RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 T2 Mapping as a New Method for Quantitative Assessment of Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 820
OP 825
DO 10.3899/jrheum.180728
VO 47
IS 6
A1 Nina Renner
A1 Arnd Kleyer
A1 Gerhard Krönke
A1 David Simon
A1 Stefan Söllner
A1 Jürgen Rech
A1 Michael Uder
A1 Rolf Janka
A1 Georg Schett
A1 Goetz H. Welsch
A1 Milena L. Pachowsky
YR 2020
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/47/6/820.abstract
AB 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 (&gt; 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.