The purpose of this study is to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) techniques to look at the damage and disease activity progression in the hand and wrist joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The central hypothesis is that ongoing erosions and cartilage loss in rheumatoid arthritis are due to persistent inflammation, which is poorly detected by clinical examination and markers of systemic inflammation.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
30
For the loading phase, it consists of the first 3 doses. During the loading phase, the recommended dose of Cimzia for adults with rheumatoid arthritis is 400mg initially followed by 400mg again at week 2 and week 4. A 400mg dose requires 2 subcutaneous injection of 200mg; the injections should occur at separate sites in the thigh or abdomen. After the loading dose, will be follow with 200mg every other week. The injection should occur at either the thigh or abdomen.
MRI of the dominant wrist, before, during and after the gadolinium contrast injection will be acquired. The dose of the gadolinium agent for this study is 0.1mmol/kg body weight. This gadolinium contrast agent will increase the image contrast in the joints in the wrist and surrounding tissues and will make the MRI pictures stand out better.
UCSF - China Basin Imaging Center
San Francisco, California, United States
To better understand how Cimzia and methotrexate affect the damage and disease activity progression in the hand and wrist of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Time frame: up to 2 years
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HR-pQCT scan of the hand and wrist will be acquired to look at the bone quality. The scan uses special x-ray equipment to make detailed pictures of bone structure.