Diagnosis of periarticular osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis using digital X-ray radiogrammetry

doi:10.1186/ar2352

Arthritis Research & Therapy

Volume 10
Issue 1

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Editorial

Diagnosis of periarticular osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis using digital X-ray radiogrammetry

Joachim Böttcher and Alexander Pfeil

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erlanger Allee, 07747 Jena, Germany

author email corresponding author email

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008, 10:103doi:10.1186/ar2352


Published:	24 January 2008

See related research by Hoff et al., http://arthritis-research.com/content/9/4/R81

Abstract

Osteoporosis can manifest in two ways in rheumatoid arthritis: generalized bone loss, which may result from immobility, the inflammatory process per se and/or treatments such as steroids; and periarticular demineralization, which is probably due to local release of inflammatory agents. Digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) is an effective and sensitive modality for monitoring periarticular osteoporosis, which is among the earliest features of rheumatoid arthritis, preceding bone erosions. DXR is a promising technique, which can provide quantitative data that allow early diagnosis. During the course of rheumatoid arthritis it can be deployed in combination with established X-ray scoring methods to inform decisions regarding the optimal therapy to prevent joint destruction.