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Spinal inflammation on MRI, degree of inflammation predictive of AS disease progression
Among patients with ankylosing spondylitis, spinal inflammation visible on MRI, as well as the degree of spinal inflammation observed, were significantly associated with radiographic disease progression, according to research presented at the Canadian Rheumatology Association Annual Meeting.
Two readers blinded to time point interpreted MRI scans from 195 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients had a mean age 40.3 years with mean disease duration of 16.6 years and were followed up for a mean of 2.3 years.
Pairs of radiographs from the same patients - with and without radiographic progression - were scored by two readers and one adjudicator independently at baseline and after 2 years. Mann-Whitney and cumulative probability were used to compare patients with and without progression, and multivariate analyses were used to adjust for age, sex, symptoms, laboratory findings and other covariates.
Significantly greater radiographic progression was seen in patients with AS who displayed inflammation on MRI at baseline compared with patients who did not, and the progression was more significant in patients who only received non-biologic therapy. Patients who developed radiographic progression had higher baseline spine inflammation scores compared with those who did not experience progression, and the degree of inflammation scores at baseline correlated with positive MRI results in multivariate analysis, according to the researchers. - by Shirley Pulawski
Reference:
Maksymowych W, et al. Paper #3. Presented at: Canadian Rheumatology Association Annual Meeting. Feb. 4-7, 2015; Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.