Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39810235›Full record

ArticleArthritis research & therapy2025

Distribution of spinal damage in patients with axial spondyloarthritis as assessed by MRI: a prospective and blinded study.

Andreas Haidmayer, Gabriel Adelsmayr, Christopher Spreizer, Eva Valentina Klocker, Franz Quehenberger, Michael Fuchsjaeger, Jens Thiel, Josef Hermann

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Article in Arthritis research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Andreas Haidmayer *Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, Graz, 8036, Austria.
Gabriel Adelsmayr *Division of General Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Christopher SpreizerSoutheastern CT-Institute, Feldbach, Austria.
Eva Valentina KlockerDivision of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Franz QuehenbergerInstitute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Michael FuchsjaegerDivision of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, Graz, 8036, Austria.
Jens ThielDivision of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, Graz, 8036, Austria.
Josef HermannDivision of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, Graz, 8036, Austria. josef.hermann@medunigraz.at.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAxial spondyloarthritis (SpA) leads to structural bone lesions in every part of the vertebral column. These lesions are only partially visualized on conventional radiographs, omitting posterior parts of the vertebral column and the thoracic spine, that may nevertheless contribute to impaired spinal mobility and function in patients with axial SpA.

methodsIn this prospective and blinded investigation, we assessed the distribution of structural spinal lesions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the whole spine in 55 patients with axial SpA classified according to the Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria. After assessment of spinal mobility and function two blinded radiologists independently evaluated MRIs of 23 vertebral units in every patient. Non-parametric statistical methods, Spearman's correlation and linear regression models were used to analyze structural lesion distribution and the relationship with clinical spinal mobility and function parameters.

resultsIn 55 patients with axial SpA (13 females, average disease duration 14.9 years) 657 ventral and 139 dorsal vertebral body structural bone lesions and, notably, 534 facet joint lesions could be visualized. The median number of lesions per patient was higher in the thoracic (8.5, range 1.0-41.0) than in the lumbar (7.5, range 0.0-27.5) and the cervical spine (3.5, range 0.0-24.5). A negative correlation was noted between the number of osteoproliferative structural bone lesions and impairment of spinal mobility and function in univariate, but not in multivariate analyses.

conclusionMRI of the whole spine revealed a high prevalence of lesions in dorsal parts of the vertebral column and in the thoracic spine in patients with axial SpA that may not be adequately visualized on conventional radiographs. These findings could further contribute to a better understanding of reduced mobility of the spine typically associated with axial SpA and assist diagnostics.

Indexed as

Axial SpondyloarthritisMagnetic Resonance ImagingSpineAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesYoung AdultAnkylosisAxial spondyloarthritisFacet jointsMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)SyndesmophytesVertebral column

Identifiers

PMID39810235
PMCPMC11730832

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