Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

A modification of the Omeract RA MRI score for erosions for use with an extremity MRI system with reduced field of view.

Freeston JE, Olech E, Yocum D, Hensor EM, Emery P, Conaghan PG

Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Chapeltown Road, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and test the reliability of a modified version of the OMERACT rheumatoid arthritis magnetic resonance imaging score (RAMRIS) for erosions using extremity MRI (eMRI) with reduced field of view (RAMRIS-RV). METHODS: Using a MagneVu 0.2 T machine, the preliminary RAMRIS-RV assessed erosions in metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints 2-3, bases of metacarpal (MC) 2-5, and all wrist bones excluding base MC 1, pisiform and trapezium. T1 weighted images of >/=500 MCP and wrist bony sites from a mixed severity RA and control cohort were evaluated. An inter-reader reliability study evaluating 300 wrist and 160 MCP bony sites was then performed. RESULTS: Mean per cent exact (and close) agreement results were as follows: MCP proximal sites 83.5 (96.2), MCP distal 54.4 (77.2), bases MC 2-4 85.2 (96.7), carpal bones 79.0 (92.1), distal radius/ulna 66.4 (87.8). The base of MCP 5 was visualised in </=50% cases (13/25) and was removed from the final RAMRIS-RV. CONCLUSIONS: The RAMRIS-RV is a practical tool that can be used with eMRI with a reduced field of view. This study shows excellent inter-reader reliability for erosion assessment, albeit in a reduced number of bony sites.

Published 13 November 2007 in Ann Rheum Dis, 66(12): 1669-71.
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