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18F-fluoride PET/CT for detection of axial involvement in ankylosing spondylitis: correlation with disease activity

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An Erratum to this article was published on 21 June 2016

Abstract

Objectives

Aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationships between the findings of 18F-fluoride PET/CT (F-PET/CT) reflecting osteo-proliferative processes and the clinical indexes related to the disease activity. The clinical indexes are Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS).

Methods

We studied 29 AS patients aged 26–69 years with a wide range of disease activity using F-PET/CT. The number of regions of high bone turnover or osteoarthritis features at the spine and at sacroiliac joints was counted.

Results

The number of F-PET/CT positive sites was significantly higher in patients with severe functional impairment and higher disease activity and it was positively related to both BASDAI (r = 0.336; P = 0.036) and ASDAS (r = 0.408; P = 0.014) while the number of degenerative features (osteoarthritis) was related neither with functional impact nor with disease activity.

Conclusions

With a single examination, F-PET/CT accurately identifies the functional impairment and the clinical involvement of AS. The good correlation we found between the number of F-PET/CT positive sites and disease activity candidates this technique also for follow-up of AS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Ospedale Civile Maggiore, Piazzale A. Stefani 1, 37126, Verona, Italy

    Luca Idolazzi, Davide Gatti, Ombretta Viapiana, Elisabetta Vantaggiato, Angelo Fassio, Silvano Adami & Maurizio Rossini

  2. Nuclear Medicine Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore, Negrar, Verona, Italy

    Matteo Salgarello

Authors
  1. Luca Idolazzi
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  2. Matteo Salgarello
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  3. Davide Gatti
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  7. Silvano Adami
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  8. Maurizio Rossini
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Correspondence to Luca Idolazzi.

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Idolazzi, L., Salgarello, M., Gatti, D. et al. 18F-fluoride PET/CT for detection of axial involvement in ankylosing spondylitis: correlation with disease activity. Ann Nucl Med 30, 430–434 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-016-1080-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-016-1080-0

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