The value of MRI examination on bilateral hands including proximal interphalangeal joints for disease assessment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: Bilateral hands including proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPJs) are recommended on physical, X-ray radiographic, or ultrasonographic examination by clinical guidelines of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but MRI still tends to examine unilateral wrists and/or MCPJs. We aimed to demonstrate the advantages of MRI examination on bilateral hands including PIPJs for disease assessment in early RA patients.

Methods: Active early RA patients received 3.