title: Is there a preferred method for scoring activity of the spine by magnetic resonance imaging in ankylosing spondylitis?
abstract: This report summarizes the discussion during a module update at OMERACT 8 on scoring methods for activity in the spine on magnetic resonance imaging. The conclusion was that the 3 available scoring methods are all very good with respect to discrimination and feasibility: the Ankylosing Spondylitis spine MRI score for activity (ASspiMRI-a), the Berlin method (a modification of the ASspiMRI-a), and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Magnetic Resonance Imaging Index for Assessment of Spinal Inflammation in AS (SPARCC). All 3 methods were judged to be similar with respect to responsiveness and discrimination, although the differences in between-reader intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were judged to be relevant (the SPARCC method provided consistently higher ICC). The Berlin and SPARCC methods were preferred most frequently. The development of a new method combining the best elements of all methods is an additional possibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht and CAPHRI Research Institute, University Maastricht, The Netherlands. d.vanderheijde.kpnplanet.nl
authors.forename: Désirée
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van der Heijde
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landewé
authors.forename: Kay-Geert
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudwaleit
authors.forename: Mikkel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Østergaard
authors.forename: Ans
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oostveen
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Walter P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Maksymowych
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lukas
authors.forename: Anne Grethe
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Jurik
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boers
authors.forename: Xenofon
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Baraliakos
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braun
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010000:Osteitis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media