Researchers from Nagasaki University describe findings in arthritis
2008 JAN 14 -- In this recently published article, scientists in Sakamoto, Japan conducted a study "To determine the significance of bone edema, detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in early-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We simultaneously examined serologic variables, MRI of wrist sites and finger joints of both hands, clinical disease activity score (DAS), and HLA-DR typing at entry in 80 patients with early-stage RA." "The number of bones scored as positive for bone edema correlated with the number of sites scored as positive for MRI synovitis and MRI bone erosion, rate of enhancement (E-rate), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Findings for MRI synovitis and MRI bone erosion, E-rate, CRP. MMP-3, IL-6, seropositivity, and titer of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP antibody), DAS28-CRP and HLA-DRB1*0405 allele carriership, were significantly higher in the positive versus the negative bone edema group. Bone edema based on our scoring system may reflect severe disease status in patients with early-stage RA," wrote M. Tamal and colleagues, Nagasaki University. The researchers concluded: "However, its clinical value at entry in prognostication of RA should be examined through prospective clinical followup studies." Tamal and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Rheumatology (Bone edema determined by magnetic resonance imaging reflects severe disease status in patients with early-stage rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology, 2007;34(11):2154-2157). For more information, contact K. Eguchi, Nagasaki University, Graduate School Biomedical Science, Dept. of Internal Medicine 1, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 8528501, Japan. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Rheumatology is: J Rheumatol Publ Co., 920 Yonge St., Suite 115, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3C7, Canada. Keywords: Japan, Sakamoto, Arthritis, Biotechnology, Bone, C Reactive Protein, Edema, Magnetic Resonance, Proteomics, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology, Synovitis, Nagasaki University. This article was prepared by Proteomics Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Proteomics Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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