title: Technetium-99m labelled human immunoglobulin scintigraphy predicts rheumatoid arthritis in patients with arthralgia.
abstract: The ability of 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy to predict the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 47 patients with arthralgia was investigated. 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy and the serum test for rheumatoid factor (RF), measured at the beginning of a year long study, were compared for their ability to predict RA. During the study 8 patients developed RA. The specificity and positive predictive values of RF in predicting RA were 79% and 50% respectively; and for 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy 97% and 88%. The sensitivity and negative predictive values of RF were 100% and of 99mTc-IgG-scintigraphy 88% and 97% respectively. In conclusion, 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy has additional value to RF with respect to the prediction of the development of RA in patients with arthralgia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: de Bois
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Arndt
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Speyer
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Breedveld
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C065376:technetium Tc 99m immunoglobulin; D013667:Technetium; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor