The department has for many years participated in research encompassing imaging of rheumatoid arthritis, including extra-articular manifestations, thorough evaluation of radiographic joint changes and MRI. 

Current studies include both radiography and MRI as important outcome measurements. The department participates in the national multi-centre studies, CIMESTRA, OPERA, IMAGINE and DANART. The IMAGINE study is unique, as it is the first randomized study evaluating the value of MRI-guided therapy producing valid data regarding the need or special indications for adding MRI to the imaging of rheumatoid arthritis.

The MR examinations currently performed include post-contrast conventional as well as dynamic MR-sequences, which may add additional information to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

1. Møller-Bisgaard S, Hørslev-Petersen K, Ejbjerg B, Hetland ML, Ørnbjerg LM, Glinatsi D, Møller J, Boesen M, Christensen R, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Madsen OR, Jensen B, Villadsen JA, Hauge EM, Bennett P, Hendricks O, Asmussen K, Kowalski M, Lindegaard H, Nielsen SM, Bliddal H, Krogh NS, Ellingsen T, Nielsen AH, Balding L, Jurik AG, Thomsen HS, Østergaard M. Effect of Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Conventional Treat-to-Target Strategies on Disease Activity Remission and Radiographic Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The IMAGINE-RA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Feb 5;321(5):461-472. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.21362. PMID: 30721294; PMCID: PMC6440221.
2. Hetland ML, Østergaard M, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Junker P, Ejbjerg B, Jacobsen S, Ellingsen T, Lindegaard H, Pødenphant J, Vestergaard A, Jurik AG, Krogh NS, Hørslev-Petersen K; and The CIMESTRA Study Group*. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, 28-joint Disease Activity Score, and magnetic resonance imaging bone oedema at baseline predict 11 years' functional and radiographic outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol. 2019 Jan;48(1):1-8. doi: 10.1080/03009742.2018.1466362. Epub 2018 Aug 13. PMID: 30101636.
3. Brahe CH, Dehlendorff C, Østergaard M, Johansen JS, Ørnbjerg LM, Hørslev-Petersen K, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Junker P, Ellingsen T, Lindegaard H, Hansen I, Lottenburger T, Jacobsen S, Jurik AG, Hetland ML. Circulating serum interleukin-6, serum chitinase-3-like protein-1, and plasma vascular endothelial growth factor are not predictive for remission and radiographic progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: post-hoc explorative and validation studies based on the CIMESTRA and OPERA trials. Scand J Rheumatol. 2018 Jul;47(4):259-269. doi: 10.1080/03009742.2017.1376107. Epub 2018 Jan 16. PMID:29336711.
4. Glinatsi D, Baker JF, Hetland ML, Hørslev-Petersen K, Ejbjerg BJ, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Junker P, Ellingsen T, Lindegaard HM, Hansen I, Lottenburger T, Møller JM, Ørnbjerg L, Vestergaard A, Jurik AG, Thomsen HS, Torfing T, Møller-Bisgaard S, Axelsen MB, Østergaard M. Magnetic resonance imaging assessed inflammation in the wrist is associated with patient-reported physical impairment, global assessment of disease activity and pain in early rheumatoid arthritis: longitudinal results from two randomised controlled trials. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Oct;76(10):1707-1715. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-211315. Epub 2017 Jun 13. PMID: 28611080.
5. Østgård RD, Glerup H, Jurik AG, Kragstrup TW, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Hetland ML, Hørslev-Petersen K, Junker P, Deleuran BW. Hepcidin plasma levels are not associated with changes in haemoglobin in early rheumatoid arthritis patients. Scand J Rheumatol. 2017 Nov;46(6):441-445. doi: 10.1080/03009742.2017.1286382. Epub 2017 May 9. PMID: 28482738.
6. Møller-Bisgaard S, Ejbjerg BJ, Eshed I, Hørslev-Petersen K, Hetland ML, Jurik AG, Thomsen H, Torfing T, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Junker P, Krogh NS, Lottenburger T, Ellingsen T, Andersen LS, Skjødt H, Svendsen AJ, Tarp U, Hansen IT, Pødenphant J, Pedersen JK, Lindegaard H, Hanson LG, Vestergaard A, Glinatsi D, Østergaard M. Effect of a treat-to-target strategy based on methotrexate and intra-articular betamethasone with or without additional cyclosporin on MRI-assessed synovitis, osteitis, tenosynovitis, bone erosion, and joint space narrowing in early rheumatoid arthritis: results from a 2-year randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (CIMESTRA). Scand J Rheumatol. 2017 Sep;46(5):335-345. doi: 10.1080/03009742.2016.1209550. Epub 2016 Oct 24. PMID:27775461.

Anne Grethe Jurik, MD, DMSc, Professor, Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, AUH: annejuri@rm.dk

Ellen-Margrethe Hauge, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Rheumatology, AUH: ellen.hauge@aarhus.rm.dk

Mikkel Østergaard, MD, PhD, DMSc, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup: mo@dadlnet.dk