Predictive factors related to shoulder joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with biologics: A prospective study

• Published in: Modern rheumatology Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 587 - 592
• Main Authors: Yonemoto, Yukio, Okamura, Koichi, Kobayashi, Tsutomu, Kaneko, Tetsuya, Okura, Chisa, Suto, Takahito, Tachibana, Masahiro, Tsushima, Yoshito, Takagishi, Kenji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 04.07.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnostic imaging; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - pathology; Biological Products - adverse effects; Biological Products - therapeutic use; Biologics; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Positron emission tomography; Prospective Studies; Rheumatoid arthritis; Shoulder; Shoulder Joint - diagnostic imaging; Shoulder Joint - pathology; Synovitis - diagnostic imaging; Synovitis - drug therapy; Synovitis - pathology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Positron emission tomography; Biologics; Rheumatoid arthritis; Shoulder
• ISSN: 1439-7595; 1439-7609
• DOI: 10.1080/14397595.2016.1245125

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for shoulder joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with biologics. Methods: Thirty shoulders of 29 patients with RA were assessed using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before starting biologics and 6 months later. The mean age (range) was 54 (18-72) years, and the mean disease duration was 7 (0.8-30) years. The radiographic findings were assessed at baseline and 3 years later. The inflammation markers and RA disease activity were also assessed. These parameters were compared between the progression of joint destruction group and the no progression group. Results: The SUVmax on PET, the rate of synovitis, and the rate of rotator cuff tear on MRI before biologic treatment were significantly higher in the progression of joint destruction group. SUVmax and synovitis on MRI after 6 months were also significantly higher in the progression of joint destruction group. On logistic regression analysis, the SUV at baseline of the shoulder joint was the main risk factor for joint destruction. Conclusion: The detection of synovitis by imaging was more important than disease activity and inflammation markers for assessing the progression of shoulder joint destruction.