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Objective In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), bone marrow edema (BME) scores are associated with development of erosions. However, little is known about the course and outcome of BME at bone level. We undertook this study to determine the association of BME and synovitis with the development of erosions in the same bone longitudinally. Methods Using 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and at 4- and 12-month follow-up, we studied 1,947 bones of the metacarpophalangeal, wrist, and metatarsophalangeal joints in 59 patients presenting with RA or undifferentiated arthritis. Scanning and scoring of BME, synovitis, and erosions were performed according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scoring system. We evaluated the relationship of the course of BME and synovitis with erosive progression at bone level during 1 year. Results Of the bones showing BME at baseline (n = 203), BME persisted in 56%, disappeared in 39%, and disappeared and then reappeared in 5%. Stratified analyses at baseline revealed that BME was associated with erosive progression both in the presence and in the absence of local synovitis, with odds ratios (ORs) of 7.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.8-14.9) and 6.9 (95% CI 1.9-25.6), respectively. However, local synovitis was not associated with erosive progression in the presence or in the absence of BME (ORs of 2.0 [95% CI 0.6-7.0] and 1.9 [95% CI 0.8-4.1], respectively). In multivariable generalized estimating equation analyses, persistent BME was strongly associated with erosive progression (OR 60.5 [95% CI 16.8-218.1]) in contrast to persistent synovitis (OR 1.3 [95% CI 0.4-4.4]). Conclusion BME frequently persists during the first year. Persistent BME was strongly associated with erosive progression in the same bone, independently of local synovitis. No independent association was observed for persistent synovitis. These findings are relevant for comprehending the development of erosions in RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive method to detect inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), visualizing synovitis, bone marrow edema, and tenosynovitis. The prevalence of MRI-detected tenosynovitis and its diagnostic value in early arthritis are unclear. This study was undertaken to identify the frequency of MRI-detectable tenosynovitis at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and wrist joints in early arthritis and the association of these with RA and the severity of RA. Methods A total of 178 patients with early arthritis underwent unilateral 1.5T extremity MRI at baseline. The MCP and wrist joints were scored using the Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scoring system and Haavardsholm's tenosynovitis score. Sixty-nine patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2010 classification criteria for RA during the first year and were compared with the non-RA patients. Among the RA patients, comparisons were made with regard to anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positivity and radiographic progression during year 1. Results Of all patients, 65% had MRI-detected tenosynovitis. RA patients had tenosynovitis more often than non-RA patients (75% versus 59%; P = 0.023). The flexor tendons at MCP5 and the extensor tendons at MCP2 and MCP4 and in extensor compartment I of the wrist were more frequently affected in RA patients than in other patients (odds ratios 2.8 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.2-7.0], 9.1 [95% CI 1.9-42.8], 14.2 [95% CI 1.7-115.9], and 4.0 [95% CI 1.4-11.1], respectively). These associations were independent of local MRI synovitis. Specificities were all ≥82%. Within the group of RA patients, tenosynovitis scores were not associated with ACPA positivity or radiographic progression. Conclusion MRI-detected tenosynovitis is commonly seen in early arthritis. The flexor tendons at MCP5, the extensor tendons at MCP2 and MCP4, and the first extensor compartment of the wrist are more often affected in RA, independent of local synovitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Aiming for a shorter rheumatoid arthritis MRI protocol: can contrast-enhanced MRI replace T2 for the detection of bone marrow oedema?" that was published on the June 23, 2016 issue is presented.