Objective MRI of small joints plays an important role in the early detection and early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Despite its sensitivity to demonstrate inflammation, clinical use is... Show moreObjective MRI of small joints plays an important role in the early detection and early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Despite its sensitivity to demonstrate inflammation, clinical use is hampered by accessibility, long scan time, intravenous contrast, and consequent high costs. To improve the feasibility of MRI implementation in clinical practice, we introduce a modified Dixon sequence, which does not require contrast and reduces total acquisition time to 6 min. Because the reliability in relation to conventional MRI sequences is unknown, we determined this. Methods In 29 consecutive early arthritis patients, coronal and axial T2-weighted modified Dixon acquisitions on 3.0 T MRI scanner were acquired from metacarpophalangeal 2-5 to the wrist, followed by the standard contrast-enhanced protocol on 1.5 T extremity MRI. Two readers scored osteitis, synovitis and tenosynovitis (summed as total MRI-inflammation), and erosions (all summed as total Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Score (RAMRIS)). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) between readers, and comparing the two sequences, were studied. Spearman correlations were determined. Results Performance between readers was good/excellent. Comparing modified Dixon and conventional sequences revealed good/excellent reliability: ICC for total MRI-inflammation score was 0.84 (95% CI:0.70-0.92), for erosions 0.90 (95% CI:0.79-0.96), and for the total RAMRIS score 0.88 (95% CI:0.77-0.94). The scores of total MRI-inflammation, total erosions, and total RAMRIS were highly correlated (rho = 0.80, rho = 0.81, rho = 0.82, respectively). Conclusion The modified Dixon protocol is reliable compared to the conventional MRI protocol, suggesting it is accurate to detect MRI inflammation. The good correlation may be the first step towards a patient-friendly, short and affordable MRI protocol, which can facilitate the implementation of MRI for early detection of inflammation in rheumatology practice. Show less
This thesis aims to assess the differences and similarities between autoantibody-positive and autoantibody-negative RA from the start of complaints to the end of the disease. The described research... Show moreThis thesis aims to assess the differences and similarities between autoantibody-positive and autoantibody-negative RA from the start of complaints to the end of the disease. The described research was performed with the ultimate goal to clarify whether autoantibody-negative and autoantibody-positive RA are distinct diseases that require different diagnoses and treatment. Show less
Dakkak, Y.J.; Niemantsverdriet, E.; Helm-van Mil, A.H.M. van der; Reijnierse, M. 2020
BackgroundThe forefoot is a preferential location for joint and tendon sheath inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It also contains bursae, of which the intermetatarsal bursae have a synovial... Show moreBackgroundThe forefoot is a preferential location for joint and tendon sheath inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It also contains bursae, of which the intermetatarsal bursae have a synovial lining. Some small imaging studies suggested that intermetatarsal bursitis (IMB) and submetatarsal bursitis (SMB) are involved in RA, but their association has not been thoroughly explored. Healthy control studies suggested that lesion size might be relevant. We studied the relation between IMB and SMB in early RA, compared to other arthritides and healthy controls, and the relevance of lesion sizes.MethodsSix hundred and thirty-four participants were studied: 157 consecutive patients presenting with early RA, 284 other arthritides, and 193 healthy controls. All underwent unilateral contrast-enhanced MRI of the forefoot at presentation. Two readers independently scored IMB and SMB and measured transverse and dorsoplantar diameters, blinded to clinical data. Subsequently, consensus was reached. Intra-reader ICC was 0.89. Logistic regression models were used, and test characteristics were calculated.ResultsIMB and SMB associated with RA independent of each other (P <0.001) and independent of age, gender, BMI, RA-MRI inflammation, and anti-CCP-antibodies (P =0.041). Sensitivity for RA of IMB was 69%, and for SMB 25%. Specificity for IMB was 70% compared to other arthritides, and 84% compared to healthy controls. For SMB, this was 94% and 97% respectively. Regarding lesion size, the groups had considerable overlap: no cut-off size for RA could be distinguished with high sensitivity and specificity.ConclusionIntermetatarsal and submetatarsal bursitis associated with early rheumatoid arthritis, contributing to the emerging evidence that inflammation of juxta-articular soft tissues is an early feature of RA. Show less
Dakkak, Y.J.; Boer, A.C.; Boeters, D.M.; Niemantsverdriet, E.; Reijnierse, M.; Helm-van Mil, A.H.M. van der 2020
Background The relationship between physical joint examination (PE) and MRI-detected inflammation in early inflammatory arthritis has mostly been studied in the hands. Physical examination of MTP... Show moreBackground The relationship between physical joint examination (PE) and MRI-detected inflammation in early inflammatory arthritis has mostly been studied in the hands. Physical examination of MTP joints is considered difficult, and for these joints, this relationship is unknown. Therefore, we studied the concordance of PE with MRI inflammation in MTP joints. Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints were included for comparison. Methods One thousand seven hundred fifty-nine MTP(2-5) and 1750 MCP(2-5) joints of 441 consecutive patients with early arthritis underwent PE (for joint swelling) and MRI, all evaluated by two assessors. MRI was scored for synovitis, tenosynovitis, and osteitis (summed MRI inflammation). Synovial intermetatarsal bursae may enlarge upon inflammation and become palpable and were therefore also assessed. Analyses (frequencies, GEE) were performed on joint level. Results PE and MRI were concordant in 79% of MTP joints. Of 1606 non-swollen MTP joints, 83% showed no MRI inflammation and 17% showed subclinical MRI inflammation. Of 153 swollen MTP joints, 48% had MRI inflammation and 52% (79 MTP joints) did not. Of these 79 swollen MTP joints without MRI inflammation, 31 showed intermetatarsal bursitis and 48 joints had none of these MRI abnormalities (this concerned 31% of swollen MTP joints). MTP swelling was statistically independently associated with tenosynovitis (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.1-4.3) and intermetatarsal bursitis (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.8-4.8). MTP joints showed subclinical inflammation less often than MCP joints (17% vs. 34%, P < 0.001). Swollen MTP joints showed MRI inflammation less often than swollen MCP joints (48% vs. 88%, P < 0.001). Conclusions The absence of swelling of MTP joints in early arthritis is mostly accompanied by the absence of MRI-detected inflammation. Swollen MTP joints are, in addition to synovitis, also explained by tenosynovitis and intermetatarsal bursitis and partly unexplained by MRI. Their clinical relevance must be determined in longitudinal studies. Show less
Ohrndorf, S.; Boer, A.C.; Boeters, D.M.; Brinck, R.M. ten; Burmester, G.R.; Kortekaas, M.C.; Helm-van Mil, A.H.M. van der 2019
The first part is focused on early recognition of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Two large early arthritis recognition clinics were started in Leiden and Groningen. The results showed that this... Show moreThe first part is focused on early recognition of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Two large early arthritis recognition clinics were started in Leiden and Groningen. The results showed that this initiative reduces the GP-delay significantly. Secondly, it was investigated whether an association between shorter symptom duration and a beneficial outcome in RA exists. Furthermore, it was questioned whether there was a confined period in which the start of DMARD therapy has a more beneficial effect. In the third part of the thesis certain disease features/ symptoms were investigated in more detail to assess if they had a prognostic or diagnostic value in arthralgia, early arthritis or RA patients. Finally, in the last part focused on mortality in RA. It was observed that patients that were treated early and with aggressive DMARD therapy had no increased mortality compared to the Dutch general population. In conclusion, the current thesis showed that lots of progress was made in the attempt to recognize rheumatoid arthritis earlier, that a therapeutic window of opportunity exits and that with prompt initiation of adequate DMARD-treatment RA should no longer be tagged as a chronic condition but that drug-free remission and improved survival are both achievable goals. Show less
The development of outcome measures in the field of rheumatology has shown a rapid and constructive advance in the last decades. It has been achieved to obtain more uniformity in the evaluation of... Show moreThe development of outcome measures in the field of rheumatology has shown a rapid and constructive advance in the last decades. It has been achieved to obtain more uniformity in the evaluation of inflammatory rheumatic disorders, especially concerning long-term outcomes and disease activity assessments. In the field of rheumatoid arthritis, clinical experts and researchers have done a lot of work under the umbrella of OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials). In the field of ankylosing spondylitis, major advances in the outcome and therapeutic advances in the last years have been possible because of projects piloted within ASAS (the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society). The analyses and studies presented in this thesis were part of this process, with most of the work performed in international working groups under auspices of either OMERACT or ASAS or both. In rheumatoid arthritis, a detailed insight into radiographic scores was conducted (Sharp van der Heijde score, SENS). Performances of automated methods for measuring measurement of joint space narrowing were assessed. The delay to first specific treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis was also analyzed, and its impact on radiographic outcome was evaluated. In ankylosing spondylitis, three different methods aiming at scoring activity of the disease on MRI of the spine were compared, and a new disease activity score was developed (ASDAS). Show less
