- AI
- Molecular Imaging
- CT
- X-Ray
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Facility Management
- Mammography
NSAID Use May Affect Axial Spondyloarthritis Diagnosis via MRI
Findings suggest that patients with suspected axial spondyloarthropathy not taking NSAIDs were more likely to have MRI proven inflammation compared with patients taking NSAIDs.
Patients with suspected axial spondyloarthropathy (AxSpA) not taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are more likely to have MRI proven inflammation compared with those taking NSAIDs, according to study results presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2021 Annual Meeting.
“Undiagnosed AxSpA can have significant impact on patients’ physical and mental health but also their quality of life and livelihood,” the authors wrote. “It is possible that NSAID use at the time of scanning reduces the diagnostic yield of MRI scanning.”
The findings were presented by Prasanna Partha Sarathy, MBChB, BMedSc, of Singleton Hospital in Swansea, UK.
Early AxSpA diagnosis, which depends on HLA-B27 testing and MRI imaging, is essential. While NSAIDs can lead to improvement in MRI appearances, patients suspected of having AxSpA are often prescribed these drugs for symptomatic relief before imaging. In this study, the researchers assessed the use of MRI in patients with suspected AxSpA and the effect of NSAIDs on the diagnostic yield of MRI scanning.
The six-month, multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 74 patients referred for MRI of the spine for suspected AxSpA. At the time of MRI, the patients were asked about NSAID use. The MRI results were assessed for evidence of active inflammation.
MRI showed signs of AxSpA in 22% of the patients. Those not using NSAIDs at the time of the scan were more likely to have MRI proven inflammation (P = .017). After adjusting for age and gender, the study found that patients not taking NSAIDs were more likely to have MRI proven inflammation compared with those taking NSAIDs (OR 8.3; 95% CI, 1.9-36; P = .005). This finding was mainly driven by the no NSAID versus regular NSAID use subgroups (OR 14; 95% CI, 2.1-97; P = .006). No difference was seen between patients not taking NSAIDs and those taking NSAIDs as required, or between patients taking NSAIDs as required versus those taking regular NSAIDs.
“This study suggests suspected AxSpA patients not taking NSAIDs were more likely to have MRI proven inflammation compared to patients taking NSAIDs especially those on regular NSAIDs,” the authors wrote.
They suggested that more prospective research is needed to explore this relationship further.
For more coverage of RSNA 2021, click here.
FDA Grants Expanded 510(k) Clearance for Xenoview 3T MRI Chest Coil in GE HealthCare MRI Platforms
November 21st 2024Utilized in conjunction with hyperpolarized Xenon-129 for the assessment of lung ventilation, the chest coil can now be employed in the Signa Premier and Discovery MR750 3T MRI systems.
New Study Examines Agreement Between Radiologists and Referring Clinicians on Follow-Up Imaging
November 18th 2024Agreement on follow-up imaging was 41 percent more likely with recommendations by thoracic radiologists and 36 percent less likely on recommendations for follow-up nuclear imaging, according to new research.
