Whole body magnetic resonance imaging in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The development and validation of quantitative imaging biomarkers as a measure of disease activity in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
IRAS ID
172490
Contact name
Margaret Hall-Craggs
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The aim of this research is to develop robust, safe and clinically relevant imaging measures (biomarkers) of disease activity in JIA.
JIA is the most common rheumatic disease in adolescence, and is a significant cause of morbidity. JIA is difficult to assess clinically and there is a need for techniques that will quantify disease activity more accurately and reliably. Early and accurate diagnosis is the key to delivering timely and appropriate treatment.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an attractive technique that allows for noninvasive assessment of inflammation of affected joints in JIA without the use of ionizing radiation.
There are a number of MR imaging techniques which are sensitive to tissue inflammation and some of these can be quantified. These include diffusion imaging, tissue enhancement with contrast agents, and the measurement of the fat fraction of bone. These measures can be applied to small volumes, such as a single joint, or to large whole body volumes that include multiple joints. Recent technical developments have enabled relatively rapid imaging of the whole body.
We aim to develop and validate a selection of these quantitative MR measures of disease against conventional criteria for disease assessment, including clinical tools and ‘conventional’ MRI scoring systems. Specific projects will include the development of whole body imaging as a measure of joint inflammation and overall disease burden, validation of diffusion-weighted imaging as a marker of inflammation and development of fat-fraction as a marker of inflammation. All of these tools have theoretical promise as markers of disease, but are not widely used in a clinical setting at present.
The study will be conducted at UCLH and participants will undergo a series of MRI scans. Many patients have MRI scans as part of routine clinical care; in these cases the scans may simply be slightly longer than usual.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1475
Date of REC Opinion
23 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion