title: Presentation and analysis of radiographic data in clinical trials and observational studies.
abstract: Despite the advent of sophisticated imaging systems, plain radiography continues to be a valuable outcome variable in clinical trials of inflammatory disorders for a number of reasons. This paper discusses the pros and cons of the different ways in which radiographic data in trials is presented; the minimum time needed to demonstrate radiographic progression in the context of a clinical trial; and the best ways to statistically analyse radiographic data.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Maastricht, Department of Internal Medicine/Rheumatology, PO Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands. rlan@sint.azm.nl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landewé
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van der Heijde
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D011336:Probability; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome