Nikolay Tzaribachev

EULAR-PReS points to consider for the use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in clinical practice

To develop evidence based points to consider the use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in clinical practice. The task force comprised a group of paediatric rheumatologists, rheumatologists experienced in imaging, radiologists, methodologists and patients from nine countries. Eleven questions on imaging in JIA were generated using a process of discussion and consensus. Research evidence was searched systematically for each question using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL. Imaging modalities included were conventional radiography, ultrasound, MRI, CT, scintigraphy and positron emission tomography. The experts used the evidence obtained from the relevant studies to develop a set of points to consider. The level of agreement with each point to consider was assessed using a numerical rating scale. A total of 13 277 references were identified from the search process, from which 204 studies were included in the systematic review. Nine points to consider were produced, taking into account the heterogeneity of JIA, the lack of normative data and consequent difficulty identifying pathology. These encompassed the role of imaging in making a diagnosis of JIA, detecting and monitoring inflammation and damage, predicting outcome and response to treatment, use of guided therapies, progression and remission. Level of agreement for each proposition varied according to the research evidence and expert opinion. Nine points to consider and a related research agenda for the role of imaging in the management of JIA were developed using published evidence and expert opinion.

Reliability of Clinical Symptoms in Diagnosing Temporomandibular Joint Arthritis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Objective. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis, commonly considered oligoarthritic/asymptomatic, occurs frequently in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-MRI) has proved to be a sensitive diagnostic tool in this context. We compared the reliability of clinical examinations to Gd-MRI results in diagnosing the condition. Methods. Patients with JIA (134 consecutive) underwent routine clinical and Gd-MRI examinations. The clinical items examined were clicking, tenderness (TMJ/adjacent muscles), and mouth-opening capacity. Blinded MRI reading focused on inflammation (synovitis/hypertrophy). After statistical power analysis, the clinical findings for 134 healthy controls were included. Contingency analysis was used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and frequency of clinical symptoms (JIA/healthy controls); Cohen’s κ was used to establish the interrater reliability. Results. Statistically significant differences were observed between JIA and healthy control groups with regard to the concise screening items (power analysis > 0.95), whereas no differences in mouth-opening capacity were noted. In 80% of the patients with JIA, Gd-MRI revealed signs of TMJ arthritis, with positive correlations between concise screening items and Gd-MRI results. The average specificity was 0.81, but the sensitivity was low, at 0.42. Combining items led to a marked increase in the sensitivity (0.73). There was a high rate of both false-negative and false-positive results (corresponding to clinical underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis of TMJ arthritis). Conclusion. Despite a relatively high specificity, clinical examination alone does not seem sufficiently sensitive to adequately detect TMJ arthritis. Thus, a relatively high number of cases will be missed or overdiagnosed, potentially leading to undertreatment or overtreatment. Gd-MRI may support correct diagnosis, thereby helping to prevent undertreatment or overtreatment.

Current Status of Efforts on Standardizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Report from the OMERACT MRI in JIA Working Group and Health-e-Child

Objective. To report on the progress of an ongoing research collaboration on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and describe the proceedings of a meeting, held prior to Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) 12, bringing together the OMERACT MRI in JIA working group and the Health-e-Child radiology group. The goal of the meeting was to establish agreement on scoring definitions, locations, and scales for the assessment of MRI of patients with JIA for both large and small joints. Methods. The collaborative work process included premeeting surveys, presentations, group discussions, consensus on scoring methods, pilot scoring, conjoint review, and discussion of a future research agenda. Results. The meeting resulted in preliminary statements on the MR imaging protocol of the JIA knee and wrist and determination of the starting point for development of MRI scoring systems based on previous studies. It was also considered important to be descriptive rather than explanatory in the assessment of MRI in JIA (e.g., “thickening” instead of “hypertrophy”). Further, the group agreed that well-designed calibration sessions were warranted before any future scoring exercises were conducted. Conclusion. The combined efforts of the OMERACT MRI in JIA working group and Health-e-Child included the assessment of currently available material in the literature and determination of the basis from which to start the development of MRI scoring systems for both the knee and wrist. The future research agenda for the knee and wrist will include establishment of MRI scoring systems, an atlas of MR imaging in healthy children, and MRI protocol requisites.

Preliminary definitions for the sonographic features of synovitis in children

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) has the potential to be an important tool in the assessment of disease activity in childhood arthritides. To assess pathology, clear definitions for synovitis need to be developed first. The aim of this study was to develop and validate these definitions through an international consensus process.

Pathological changes in the TMJ and the length of the ramus in patients with confirmed juvenile idiopathic arthritis

INTRODUCTION Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is characterized by a progressive destruction of the joints. The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are especially likely to be affected. The often undetected arthritis in the TMJ in particular can cause significant destruction and craniofacial developmental abnormalities. The aim of this study was to analyze the destructive impact of JIA on TMJ and mandibular development. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed a total of 92 joints and mandibular rami using digital cone-beam tomography (CBT) and compared 23 consecutively treated JIA patients with 23 healthy controls, matched for age and gender. We evaluated ramus length, vertical depth of the articular fossa, anterior-posterior dimensions of the mandibular head and condylar process. The statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis Rank Sum tests. RESULTS The JIA patients exhibited significantly more pronounced asymmetries. However, we were unable to detect significant differences in the metric measuring distances. The different JIA subtypes exerted no statistically significant influence. CONCLUSIONS The possible destruction arising as a result of JIA concerns the TMJ and the length of the mandibular ramus. These craniofacial anomalies demonstrate the central importance of sufficiently early detection and timely treatment in the prevention of such growth disturbances.

Selecting Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Outcome Measures for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Clinical Trials: First Report of the MRI in JIA Special Interest Group

Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have substantially improved the evaluation of joint pathologies in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Because of the current availability of highly effective antirheumatic therapies and the unique and useful features of MRI, there is a growing need for an accurate and reproducible MRI assessment scoring system for JIA, such as the rheumatoid arthritis MRI Scoring (RAMRIS) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To effectively evaluate the efficacy of treatment in clinical research trials, we need to develop and validate scoring methods to accurately measure joint outcomes, standardize imaging protocols for data acquisition and interpretation, and create imaging atlases to differentiate physiologic and pathologic joint findings in childhood and adolescence. Such a standardized, validated, JIA-MRI scoring method could be used as an outcome measure in clinical trials.

Results of a multinational survey regarding the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BackgroundTemporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement occurs in up to 80% of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Currently there are no standardized procedures regarding diagnosis and treatment of this common complication of JIA. The aim of the study was to assess the current clinical practices in many countries regarding diagnosis and treatment of TMJ involvement in JIA. Pediatric rheumatologists were asked to fill out a survey with 8 items regarding diagnosis and treatment of TMJ involvement. The survey was distributed over the worldwide pediatric rheumatology electronic list-serve. Data was collected in an Excel spread sheet and analyzed using Excel software.FindingsEighty-seven centers responded to the survey between December 2009 and April 2010. All responding centers were actively screening for TMJ involvement. All centers were screening by physical exam, 85 (97%) by history, and 2 (3%) by imaging. Seventy-seven (88%) centers were screening at the first visit and 76 (87%) at each follow-up visit. If imaging was requested, 77% of the centers reported that they asked for MRI, 10% for ultrasound, 9% for CT and 33% for X-ray. The first line treatment of TMJ arthritis was a non-biologic DMARD in 36%, an NSAID in 33%, an intraarticular corticosteroid injection in 26%, and an anti-TNF agent in 5%. Overall, 57 (65%) of the centers were using intraarticular corticosteroid injections as treatment.ConclusionsTMJ arthritis is common among children with JIA. This survey shows that a wide array of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches is being employed for TMJ disease in 87 international centers. Due to this lack of agreement in how to diagnose and treat this JIA complication, we believe that an expert opinion/consensus statement regarding TMJ arthritis in JIA will likely benefit patients worldwide.

Management of temporomandibular joint arthritis in adult rheumatology practices: a survey of adult rheumatologists

BackgroundThe temporomandibular (TMJ) is frequently involved in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), however little is known about management of this joint once a patient transitions from pediatric to adult care and about how rheumatologists approach TMJ involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this project was to describe adult rheumatologists’ approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ arthritis in adults with JIA or RA.FindingsOne hundred and eighteen rheumatologists responded to an online survey of adult rheumatologists in the United States and Canada. Respondents estimated that 1-25% of their patients with RA or JIA had TMJ arthritis. Respondents reported lower rates of MRI use (19%) and higher rates of use of splinting/functional devices (50%) than anticipated. Approximately 80% of respondents reported that their practice had a standardized approach to the evaluation of patients with TMJ arthritis. The most commonly used medical therapies were non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha medications, and methotrexate.ConclusionsDespite the majority of respondents stating that their practices had a standardized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disease, there nevertheless appeared to be a range of practices reported. Standardizing the evaluation and treatment of TMJ arthritis across practices may benefit both adult and pediatric patients.

Towards Establishing a Standardized Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scoring System for Temporomandibular Joints in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are frequently affected in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Early detection is challenging, as major variation is present in scoring TMJ pathology on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Consensus‐driven development and validation of an MRI scoring system for TMJs has important clinical utility in timely improvement of diagnosis and serving as an outcome measure. We report on a multi‐institutional collaboration toward developing a TMJ MRI scoring system for JIA.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and the temporomandibular joint: A comprehensive review

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease of childhood and represents a series of chronic inflammatory arthritides of unknown cause. Involvement of the temporomandibular joint has been reported in up to 87% of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when based on magnetic tomography imaging; it can be asymptomatic and may lead to severe long term complications. In this review a summary of the contemporary literature of imaging of the temporomandibular joint in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis will be provided, including ultrasound which is a valuable method for guided joint injections, but does not necessarily allow detection of acute inflammation, cone beam computed tomography, which has emerged as a feasible and accurate low-dose alternative as compared to conventional computed tomography to detect destructive change, and magnetic resonance imaging which is considered the method of choice for assessing acute, inflammatory change, although the lack of normative standards remains a challenge in children.