Research on takayasu arteritis published by L. Arnaud et al
2009 JUN 1 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to a study from Paris, France, "F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scanning has been proposed as a new way of assessing disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA), but previous studies have used the nonvalidated National Institutes of Health (NIH) global activity criteria, and thus might be biased. This study was undertaken to determine the value of PET scanning for assessment of disease activity in TA, by comparing PET scan data with clinical, biologic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data assessed separately." "Twenty-eight patients with TA (according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria) underwent a total of 40 PET scans. Images were reviewed by 2 pairs of independent nuclear medicine physicians and assessed for pattern and intensity of vascular uptake. TA activity data were obtained within 15 days of the PET scans. PET scanning revealed abnormal vascular uptake in 47% of the 40 examinations. The uptake intensity grade was 0 in 7 scans, grade I in 7 scans, grade 2 in 13 scans, and grade 3 in 13 scans. Morphologic analysis was conducted by grading the pattern of the vascular uptake as diffuse (73%), segmental (20%), or focal (13%). There was a trend toward an association between clinically active disease and the semiquantitative assessment of FDG uptake (P = 0.08). We found no statistical association between levels of acute-phase reactants and intensity of uptake. There was no significant association between the semiquantitative assessment of FDG uptake and the presence of vascular wall thickening (P = 0.23), gadolinium uptake (P = 0.73), or the presence of vascular wall edema (P = 0.56). Our findings indicate that there is no association between FDG vascular uptake intensity and clinical, biologic, or MRI assessment of disease activity," wrote L. Arnaud and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Previous studies using the nonvalidated NIH global activity criteria are likely biased." Arnaud and colleagues published the results of their research in Arthritis and Rheumatism (Is F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Scanning a Reliable Way to Assess Disease Activity in Takayasu Arteritis' Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2009;60(4):1193-1200). For additional information, contact Z. Amoura, Hopital La Pitie Salpetriere, Service Med Interne du Pr Piette, AP HP, 47-83 Blvd. Hopital, F-75013 Paris, France. The publisher of the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism can be contacted at: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA. Keywords: France, Paris, Arthritis, Cardiology, Magnetic Resonance, Nuclear Medicine, Rheumatism, Rheumatology, Takayasu Arteritis. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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