Computer-aided joint space analysis (CAJSA) of the proximal-interphalangeal joint-normative age-related and gender specific data.
OBJECTIVE
To provide reference data for computer-aided joint space analysis (CAJSA) based on a semiautomated and computer-aided diagnostic system for the measurement of joint space widths (ie, proximal-interphalangeal joint), considering gender-specific and age-related differences.


METHODS
A total of 869 subjects were enrolled (351 females/518 males) with radiographs of the hand. All participants underwent measurements of joint space distances at the proximal-interphalangeal articulation (JSD-PIP) of the second to fifth finger using CAJSA technology.


RESULTS
The data verify a notable age-related decrease of CAJSA parameters, showing an accentuated age-related joint space narrowing in women. Additionally, males showed a significant wider JSD-PIP (+15.4%) compared with the female cohort for all age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data present gender-specific and age-related normative reference values for computer-aided joint space analysis of JSD-PIP and provide a valid and reliable quantification of disease-related joint space narrowing, particularly in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis involving the peripheral small hand joints.
Pfeil
Alexander
A
Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747 Jena, Germany. Pfeil.A@gmx.de
Böttcher
Joachim
J
Seidl
Bettina E
BE
Schäfer
Max L
ML
Hansch
Andreas
A
Heyne
Jens-Peter
JP
Petrovitch
Alexander
A
Mentzel
H-J
HJ
Eidner
Thorsten
T
Wolf
Gunter
G
Hein
Gert
G
Kaiser
Werner A
WA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric