Abstract
BackgroundBoneXpert is an automated method to calculate bone maturation and bone health index (BHI) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Cartilage thickness can also be seen as an indicator for bone health and arthritis damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between cartilage thickness, bone maturation and bone health in patients with JIA.MethodsPatients with JIA diagnosed according ILAR criteria included in a previous ultrasonography (US) study were eligible if hand radiographs were taken at the same time as the US examination. Of the 95 patients 67 met the inclusion criteria.ResultsDecreased cartilage thickness was seen in 27% of the examined joints. Decreased BHI was seen in half of the JIA patient, and delayed bone maturation was seen in 33% of patients. A combination of decreased BHI and bone age was seen in 1 out of 5 JIA patients. Decreased cartilage thickness in the knee, wrist and MCP joint was negatively correlated with delayed bone maturation but not with bone health index.ConclusionDelayed bone maturation and decreased BHI were not related to a thinner cartilage, but a thicker cartilage. No relation with JADAS 10 was found. The rheumatologist should remain aware of delayed bone maturation and BHI in JIA patients with cartilage changes, even in the biologic era.
Highlights
BoneXpert is an automated method to calculate bone maturation and bone health index (BHI) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
Patients Children diagnosed with JIA according to the 2001 revised International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) classification aged 5–15 years and followed at the pediatric rheumatology department of Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, were invited to participate [20]
This study was performed within a larger study on the use of US in JIA
Summary
BoneXpert is an automated method to calculate bone maturation and bone health index (BHI) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between cartilage thickness, bone maturation and bone health in patients with JIA. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in childhood. It can result in musculoskeletal pain, joint stiffness and swelling and decreased range of motion. If left untreated JIA will lead to disability of the affected joints. Chronically inflamed synovium and involvement of associated muscle and soft tissues, eventually leading to degeneration of the osteocartilaginous structures, are the primary cause for functional disability in JIA [1]. We found a low intra- and inter-observer variability and a good level of agreement, with no
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