RESEARCH - Diagnosis of periarticular osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis using digital X-ray radiogrammetry

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Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008, 10:103doi:10.1186/ar2352

Published: 24 January 2008

Editorial

Diagnosis of periarticular osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis using

digital X-ray radiogrammetry

Joachim Böttcher and Pfeil

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,

Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erlanger Allee, 07747 Jena,

Germany

Abstract

Osteoporosis can manifest in two ways in rheumatoid arthritis:

generalized bone loss, which may result from immobility, the

inflammatory process per se and/or treatments such as steroids; and

periarticular demineralization, which is probably due to local release

of inflammatory agents. Digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) is an

effective and sensitive modality for monitoring periarticular

osteoporosis, which is among the earliest features of rheumatoid

arthritis, preceding bone erosions. DXR is a promising technique,

which can provide quantitative data that allow early diagnosis. During

the course of rheumatoid arthritis it can be deployed in combination

with established X-ray scoring methods to inform decisions regarding

the optimal therapy to prevent joint destruction.

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Read the full article here:

http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/1/103

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