Reviews
Imaging in the preclinical phases of rheumatoid arthritis
A. Zabotti1, S. Finzel2, X. Baraliakos3, K. Aouad4, N. Ziade5, A. Iagnocco6
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Rheumatology Clinic, University of Udine, Italy.
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Freiburg University Medical Center, Medical Faculty, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany.
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne and Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
- Rheumatology Department, Saint-Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Rheumatology Department, Saint-Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, University of Turin, Italy. annamaria.iagnocco1@gmail.com
CER12322
2020 Vol.38, N°3
PI 0536, PF 0542
Reviews
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PMID: 31376263 [PubMed]
Received: 11/04/2019
Accepted : 08/07/2019
In Press: 25/07/2019
Published: 26/05/2020
Abstract
There is growing evidence that the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multistep process. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) identified different phases before the onset of RA, from the presence of genetic and environmental risk factors for RA, towards clinically suspected arthralgia and undifferentiated arthritis. Currently, a new definition of “window of opportunity” is emerging; this states that the window could even lie in preclinical phase of RA, preceding diagnosis or fulfillment of classification criteria for RA. In this scenario, the detection of subclinical inflammation by imaging tools could be useful together with autoantibodies and joint symptoms to better stratify people at high risk for developing RA and to plan prevention trials in high-risk cohorts. This review will give an overview on the use of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography in the preclinical phases of RA.
