Do the provisional PRINTO Enthesitis/Spondylitis-Related JIA criteria capture youth with axial spondyloarthritis?

Background: The Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO) recently undertook an effort to better harmonize the pediatric and adult arthritis criteria. These provisional criteria are being refined for optimal performance. We aimed to investigate differences between patients who did and did not fulfill these PRINTO criteria amongst youth diagnosed with juvenile spondyloarthritis (SpA) that met axial juvenile SpA (axJSpA) classification criteria.

Effect of apremilast on hand and whole-body MRI assessments of inflammation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (MOSAIC): a phase 4, multicentre, single-arm, open-label study.

Background: The Psoriatic Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scoring System (PsAMRIS) and MRI Whole-Body Scoring System for Inflammation in Peripheral Joints and Entheses in Inflammatory Arthritis (MRI-WIPE) have not been used together to assess treatment of psoriatic arthritis in a clinical trial. We aimed to assess the effect of apremilast treatment on inflammation, with outcomes measured by PsAMRIS and MRI-WIPE.

Methods: MOSAIC was a phase 4, multicentre, single-arm, open-label study conducted at 29 sites across ten countries (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA).

Clinical information on imaging referrals for suspected or known axial spondyloarthritis: recommendations from the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS).

Objectives: This study aims to establish expert consensus recommendations for clinical information on imaging requests in suspected/known axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), focusing on enhancing diagnostic clarity and patient care through guidelines.

Materials And Methods: A specialised task force was formed, comprising 7 radiologists, 11 rheumatologists from the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) and a patient representative. Using the Delphi method, two rounds of surveys were conducted among ASAS members.

Effect of Online Training on the Reliability of Assessing Sacroiliac Joint Radiographs in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized, Controlled Study.

Objective: Radiographic assessment of sacroiliac joints (SIJs) according to the modified New York (mNY) criteria is key in the classification of axial spondyloarthritis but has moderate interreader agreement. We aimed to investigate the improvements of the reliability in scoring SIJ radiographs after applying an online real-time iterative calibration (RETIC) module, in addition to a slideshow and video alone.

Methods: Nineteen readers, randomized to 2 groups (A or B), completed 3 calibration steps: (1) review of manuscripts, (2) review of slideshow and video with group A completing RETIC, and (3) re-review of slideshow and video with group B completing RETIC.

Features of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Two Multicenter Cohorts of Patients with Psoriasis, Uveitis, and Colitis Presenting with Undiagnosed Back Pain.

Objective: We aimed to assess: 1. The frequency of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) according to extra-articular presentation and HLA-B27 status; 2. Clinical and imaging features that distinguish axSpA from non-axSpA; 3.

Development of international consensus on a standardised image acquisition protocol for diagnostic evaluation of the sacroiliac joints by MRI: an ASAS-SPARTAN collaboration.

Background: A range of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) MRI protocols are used in clinical practice but not all were specifically designed for diagnostic ascertainment. This can be confusing and no standard diagnostic SIJ MRI protocol is currently accepted worldwide.

Objective: To develop a standardised MRI image acquisition protocol (IAP) for diagnostic ascertainment of sacroiliitis.

Classification Criteria for Axial Disease in Youth With Juvenile Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: The goal was to develop and validate classification criteria for axial juvenile spondyloarthritis (SpA; AxJSpA).

Methods: This international initiative consisted of four phases: (1) item generation, (2) item reduction, (3) criteria development, and (4) validation of the AxJSpA criteria by an independent team of experts in an internationally representative validation cohort.

Results: These criteria are intended to be used on youth with a physician diagnosis of juvenile SpA and for whom axial disease is suspected.

Reporting Sacroiliac Joint Imaging Performed for Known or Suspected Axial Spondyloarthritis: Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Recommendations.

Whereas previous projects attempted to standardize imaging in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), few studies have been published about the need for specific details regarding the image acquisition and lesions that may be less familiar to general radiologists. This work reports consensus recommendations developed by the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) that aim to standardize the imaging reports in patients suspected of having or with known axSpA. A task force consisting of radiologists and rheumatologists from ASAS and one patient representative formulated two surveys that were completed by ASAS members.

Adding ultrasound to treat-to-target shows no benefit in achieving clinical remission nor in slowing radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: results from a multicenter prospective cohort.

Objective: To assess whether using ultrasound (US) in addition to clinical information versus only clinical information in a treat-to-target (T2T) strategy leads to more clinical remission and to less radiographic progression in RA.

Methods: Patients with RA from the 2-year prospective BIODAM cohort were included. Clinical and US data (US7-score) were collected every 3 months and hands and feet radiographs every 6 months.

OMERACT validation of a deep learning algorithm for automated absolute quantification of knee joint effusion versus manual semi-quantitative assessment.

Objective: To begin evaluating deep learning (DL)-automated quantification of knee joint effusion-synovitis via the OMERACT filter.

Methods: A DL algorithm previously trained on Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) knee MRI automatically quantified effusion volume in MRI of 53 OAI subjects, which were also scored semi-quantitatively via KIMRISS and MOAKS by 2-6 readers.

Results: DL-measured knee effusion correlated significantly with experts' assessments (Kendall's tau 0.

Validation of SPARCC MRI-RETIC e-tools for increasing scoring proficiency of MRI sacroiliac joint lesions in axial spondyloarthritis.

Background: The Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) developers have created web-based calibration modules for the SPARCC MRI sacroiliac joint (SIJ) scoring methods. We aimed to test the impact of applying these e-modules on the feasibility and reliability of these methods.

Methods: The SPARCC-SIJ e-modules contain cases with baseline and follow-up scans and an online scoring interface.

Hip and pelvis region MRI reference image atlas for scoring inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses according to the OMERACT-MRI WIPE scoring system in patients with spondyloarthritis.

Objective: To develop a reference image atlas for scoring the hip/pelvis region according to the OMERACT whole-body MRI scoring system for inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses (MRI-WIPE).

Methods: We collected image examples of each pathology, location and grade, discussed them at web-based, interactive meetings and, finally, selected reference images by consensus.

Results: Reference images for each grade and location of osteitis, synovitis and soft tissue inflammation are provided, as are definitions, reader rules and recommended MRI-sequences.

The OMERACT whole-body MRI scoring system for inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses (WIPE) in spondyloarthritis - reference image atlas for the knee region.

Objective: To develop a reference image atlas for the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology whole-body MRI scoring system for inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses (OMERACT MRI-WIPE) of the knee region.

Methods: Image examples of each pathology, location and grade, were collected and discussed at web-based, interactive meetings within the OMERACT MRI in Arthritis Working Group. Subsequently, reference images were selected by consensus.

Systematic calibration reduces sources of variability for the preliminary OMERACT juvenile idiopathic arthritis MRI- sacroiliac joint score (OMERACT JAMRIS-SIJ).

Objective: To determine whether systematic calibration enhances scoring proficiency of the OMERACT juvenile idiopathic arthritis MRI-Sacroiliac Joint score (JAMRIS-SIJ) and whether contrast-enhancement enhances its performance.

Methods: MRI SIJ scans of 50 cases with juvenile spondyloarthritis were scored by 7 raters after calibration with 3 different knowledge transfer tools.

Results: Calibrated readers achieved greater reliability for scoring certain inflammatory and structural lesions.

Comparative validation of the knee inflammation MRI scoring system and the MRI osteoarthritis knee score for semi-quantitative assessment of bone marrow lesions and synovitis-effusion in osteoarthritis: an international multi-reader exercise.

Background: Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and synovitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with symptoms and predict degeneration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA). Validated methods for their semiquantitative assessment on MRI are available, but they all have similar scoring designs and questionable sensitivity to change. New scoring methods with completely different designs need to be developed and compared to existing methods.

Neural network algorithm for detection of erosions and ankylosis on CT of the sacroiliac joints: multicentre development and validation of diagnostic accuracy.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of a deep learning network for detection of structural lesions of sacroiliitis on multicentre pelvic CT scans.

Methods: Pelvic CT scans of 145 patients (81 female, 121 Ghent University/24 Alberta University, 18-87 years old, mean 40 ± 13 years, 2005-2021) with a clinical suspicion of sacroiliitis were retrospectively included. After manual sacroiliac joint (SIJ) segmentation and structural lesion annotation, a U-Net for SIJ segmentation and two separate convolutional neural networks (CNN) for erosion and ankylosis detection were trained.

Consensus-Driven Definition for Unequivocal Sacroiliitis on Radiographs in Juvenile Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: Radiography is still used worldwide for the detection of sacroiliitis in juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSpA), despite its low sensitivity and reliability. We aimed to define unequivocal evidence of sacroiliitis on pelvic radiography in skeletally immature youth for use in classification criteria when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unavailable.

Methods: Subjects were a retrospective cohort of juvenile patients with spondyloarthritis with a radiograph and MRI as part of a diagnostic evaluation for axial disease.

Participants in the Trans-Antarctic Winter Traverse Expedition Showed Increased Bacterial Load and Diversity in Saliva but Maintained Individual Differences within Stool Microbiota and Across Metabolite Fingerprints.

Understanding the impact of long-term physiological and environmental stress on the human microbiota and metabolome may be important for the success of space flight. This work is logistically difficult and has a limited number of available participants. Terrestrial analogies present important opportunities to understand changes in the microbiota and metabolome and how this may impact participant health and fitness.

Data-Driven Magnetic Resonance Imaging Definitions for Active and Structural Sacroiliac Joint Lesions in Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Typical of Axial Disease: A Cross-Sectional International Study.

Objective: We aimed to determine quantitative sacroiliac (SI) joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cutoffs for active and structural lesions that will be incorporated as imaging domains in classification criteria of axial disease in juvenile spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: MRI scans from an international cross-section of juvenile SpA patients were reviewed by 6 musculoskeletal imaging experts blinded to clinical details. Raters globally assessed the presence/absence of lesions typical of axial SpA and performed SI joint quadrant- or joint-based scoring.

Effects of ixekizumab treatment on structural changes in the sacroiliac joint: MRI assessments at 16 weeks in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Background: There is limited understanding regarding the inhibition of structural damage in the sacroiliac joint of patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. This study evaluated the effect of the interleukin-17A inhibitor ixekizumab versus placebo on structural lesions in the sacroiliac joints as assessed by MRI at week 16 in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis from the COAST-X study.

Methods: COAST-X was a 52-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study done at 107 sites in 15 countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America.

Deep Learning Detects Changes Indicative of Axial Spondyloarthritis at MRI of Sacroiliac Joints.

Background MRI is frequently used for early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, evaluation is time-consuming and requires profound expertise because noninflammatory degenerative changes can mimic axSpA, and early signs may therefore be missed. Deep neural networks could function as assistance for axSpA detection.