South Korean researchers studied the reliability of an MRI scoring system for spinal facet joint inflammatory lesions, according to Taylor & Francis Online.
The study evaluated 53 ankylosing spondylitis patients for active inflammatory lesions involving facet joints, using a new scale, AS Activity of the Facet Joint. The researchers assessed the ASAFacet reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots.
Rheumatology published the study.
Here are five takeaways:
1. ASAFacet scores' ICC values were 0.857 for inter-observer reliability and 0.941 for intra-observer reliability.
2. While facet joint inflammatory activity scores were evenly distributed at all spine levels, vertebral body inflammation was more obvious in the thoracic spine than in the cervical spine or lumbar spine.
3. ASAFacet scores associated with erythrocyte sediment rate and C-reactive protein levels.
4. Those patients with peripheral arthritis had fewer vertebral body or facet joint lesions.
5. Researchers concluded, "recognition of facet joint inflammation has the potential to contribute to our understanding of clinical outcomes in AS."