Evaluation of active inflammation, chronic structural damage, and response to treatment of sacroiliitis in axial spondyloarthritis using the Spondyloarthritis research consortium of Canada scoring system.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. To investigate whether there are differences in inflammatory and chronic structural damages, as assessed by a semiquantitative MRI scoring method, between non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with active inflammation at baseline, and to evaluate the treatment response in these patients after 3 months of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor treatment. Fifty-eight axSpA patients with active inflammation were included in the study. The patients were divided into nr-axSpA group and AS group. MRI examinations of the sacroiliac joints were performed before and after treatment. Inflammatory and structural damages in these patients were assessed using the established Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) inflammation and sacroiliac joint structural (SSS) scoring methods, which are two MRI-based scoring methods. The SPARCC score, SSS score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were compared between the two groups. At baseline, SPARCC scores for patients in the nr-axSpA and AS groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05); however, SSS scores for fat metaplasia, erosion, and backfill for patients in the AS group were significantly higher (P < 0.001). Compared with baseline, SPARCC scores were significantly decreased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.001); however, after treatment, no statistically significant difference was found regarding SPARCC scores between the AS and nr-axSpA groups. Compared with baseline, a significant increase in the SSS scores for fat metaplasia and backfill (P < 0.001) and a significant decrease in the SSS scores for erosion (P < 0.001) were observed in all axSpA patients. Changes in the SPARCC score was inversely correlated with the changes in the SSS score for fat metaplasia (r = - 0.634, P < 0.001). Changes in the SSS score for backfill were positively correlated with the changes in the SSS score for fat metaplasia (r = 0.277, P < 0.05) and inversely correlated with those for erosion (r = - 0.443, P < 0.001). The SPARCC and SSS scoring systems can be used to assess inflammatory and chronic structural damages as well as treatment responses in patients with axSpA. More severe structural damages were seen in AS patients. TNF-α inhibitor treatment for 3 months could effectively reduce inflammation in axSpA patients.

Zhang Y ，Guo Z ，Zhan Y ，Qu J ，Lei X ... -  《BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS》

Procollagen I N-terminal peptide correlates with inflammation on sacroiliac joint magnetic resonance imaging in ankylosing spondylitis but not in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: A cross-sectional study.

To identify disease activity scores and biomarkers that reflect magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-determined sacroiliac joint (SIJ) inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Patients who had AS and nr-axSpA were enrolled. All the patients underwent SIJ MRI. SpondyloArthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) method was used to score bone marrow edema in the inflammatory lesions on MRI. Radiographic assessment of the spine was performed using modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score. Clinical variables, inflammatory markers, serum alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), and procollagen I N-terminal peptide (PINP) were measured. Correlation analysis between MRI-determined SIJ inflammation scores and disease activity scores and laboratory variables was performed. Thirty-five patients had AS and 36had nr-axSpA. Significant differences were noted between the AS group and the nr-axSpA group in terms of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-ESR, ASDAS-CRP, PINP, and SPARCC (p < .001, p = .004, p < .001, p < .001, p = .030, p < .001, respectively). MRI-determined SIJ inflammatory scores correlated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), OC, CTX-I, and PINP in AS (p = .036, p = .023, p = .002, p = .041, p = .004, respectively) and correlated with ESR, CRP, ASDAS-ESR, ASDAS-CRP, BASDAI, and BASFI in nr-axSpA (p = .003, p = .002, p < .001, p < .001, p = .010, p = .007, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that PINP exhibited a positive correlation independent of the MRI inflammatory score and that age exhibited a negative correlation independent of the MRI inflammatory score. In AS, PINP and age independently correlated with active inflammation on SIJ MRI. PINP may be useful as a marker of objective inflammation in AS.

Li X ，Liang A ，Chen Y ，Lam NS ，Long X ，Xu X ，Zhong S ... -  《-》

Baseline Severity of Sacroiliitis and Extensive Fat Metaplasia Predicts the Progression of Backfill at the Sacroiliac Joint in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Fat metaplasia in an erosion cavity, also known as backfill, is an essential intermediary in new bone formation in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients; however, the predictors of backfill progression are unknown. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the predictors of backfill progression in axSpA patients on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical and MRI data were collected at baseline and follow-up in 52 axSpA patients. Backfill progression was defined as the new or increased T1 hyperintensity within the SI joint space. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of the backfill progression. A total of 19 patients had "backfill" at baseline and 30 patients exhibited the backfill progression after follow-up. The mean disease duration and SPARCC scores at baseline were significantly different between patients with and without backfill progression (P<0.001, P=0.003, respectively). Patients with backfill progression had a higher frequency of backfill at baseline, a higher SSS score of fat metaplasia, and a higher SSS score of backfill than those without (P=0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.002, respectively). A higher fat fraction value in the fat metaplasia area at the baseline was more frequent in patients with, than without, backfill progression (P=0.019). In the univariate logistic regression analyses, a higher SPARCC score for inflammation and a higher SSS score for fat metaplasia at baseline were associated with backfill progression. Severity of sacroiliitis and extensive fat metaplasia at baseline are predictors of the backfill progression in axSpA patients.

Zhang Y ，Guo Z ，Wang L ，Zhan Y ，Qu J ，Lei X ... -  《Frontiers in Immunology》

The value of SPARCC sacroiliac MRI scoring in axial psoriatic arthritis and its association with other disease parameters.

This study aimed to assess patients with axial psoriatic arthritis (AxPsA) using the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium (SPARCC) sacroiliac joint (SIJ) scores and to seek correlations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores and disease characteristics. Forty PsA patients (32 females, mean age 46.4 years) who had been documented to have active or structural lesions on SIJ MRI were retrospectively evaluated. Disease duration, medications, and disease activity, including Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), minimal disease activity (MDA), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) were recorded. On sacroiliac MRI scans, the SPARCC scores of sacroiliac joint inflammation (SIS) and sacroiliac joint structural damage (SSS) were evaluated. The mean disease duration was 51.4 ± 70.4 months. MRI showed active inflammation in 30 patients (75%) and at least 1 structural lesion in 32 patients (92.5%). The most prevalent structural lesion was erosion (82.5%), followed by fat metaplasia (65%), backfill (12.5%), and ankylosis (2.5%). Only fat metaplasia scores were significantly higher in men than in women (P = .007). Of clinical and laboratory parameters, only C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in the presence of active inflammation (P = .01). The SIS score was significantly correlated with disease duration (r = -.35) and CRP levels (r = .42,). The SSS score was inversely correlated with BASDAI (r = -.37), ASDAS-CRP (r = -.39), and ASDAS - erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = -.32). The overall SPARCC scores did not differ between patients in DAPSA remission and non-remission and between those in MDA and non-MDA. Although radiologic involvement is generally not severe in AxPsA, MRI still provides additional information about inflammatory activity and structural lesions. CRP may be helpful in monitoring the radiologic disease activity in AxPsA.

Gezer HH ，Duruöz MT 《-》

Sacroiliac and spine imaging in spondyloarthritis: Does phenotype or sex matter?

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a spectrum of immune-mediated inflammatory conditions primarily affecting the axial skeleton, including sacroiliitis and spondylitis, each with distinct features. This study aimed to investigate imaging disparities, focusing on sacroiliac magnetic resonance and spine radiography, across phenotypes and between males and females in axial SpA. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess clinical data, laboratory findings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores of sacroiliac joints using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) and Sacroiliac Joint Structural Score (SSS), and cervical and lumbar spine radiographs utilizing the Modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). The study aimed to compare these parameters between two groups: axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA, radiographic and non-radiographic) and axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA), as well as between males and females. Ninety-four patients were included, with 62 patients in the axSpA group and 32 patients in the axPsA group. There were no differences in disease activity, mobility, radiographic damage in the spine (Modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score- mSASSS), or sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores (Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Magnetic Resonance Imaging Index - SPARCC and Sacroiliac Joint Structural Score - SSS) between the two phenotypes. Regarding sex, in imaging exams, men had higher mSASSS (p = 0.008), SSS (p = 0.001), and fat metaplasia (MG) score based on SSS (p = 0.001), while women had significantly higher SPARCC scores (p = 0.039). In the male group, the presence of HLA-B27 allele had an impact on more structural lesions on MRI (SSS), p = 0.013. In this study, imaging of sacroiliac joints and spine in patients with axial SpA did not show differences in phenotypes but did reveal differences based on sex, which may have an impact on future diagnostic recommendations. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Pereira GC ，Machado NP ，Gomes AF ，Assad RL ，Carneiro FH ，Azevedo VF ... -  《Advances in Rheumatology》