title: Synovial tissue analysis in clinical trials.
abstract: Synovial tissue analysis has considerable potential for future randomized controlled trials (RCT). The synovial membrane is the target tissue in treatment strategies of rheumatoid arthritis and other arthropathies. Effective modulation of synovitis is critical when attempting to control symptoms and signs, to prevent joint damage, and to maintain function. In RCT, the systematic evaluation of changes in synovial tissue after commencing treatment enables identification of an early therapeutic effect, using relatively small numbers of patients. This special interest group is working on establishing the evidence to have this endpoint meet the OMERACT filter criteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. c.walsh@st-vincents.ie
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bresnihan
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baeten
authors.forename: Gary S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Firestein
authors.forename: Oliver M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gerlag
authors.forename: Jasper J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Haringman
authors.forename: Iain B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: McInnes
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reece
authors.forename: Malcolm D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ann-Kristin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ulfgren
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Veale
authors.forename: Paul Peter
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Tak
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D001175:Arthrography; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents