title: Multiple computer-based methods of measuring joint space width can discriminate between treatment arms in the COBRA trial -- Update of an ongoing OMERACT project.
abstract: Previously reported data on 5 computer-based programs for measurement of joint space width focusing on discriminating ability and reproducibility are updated, showing new data. Four of 5 different programs for measuring joint space width were more discriminating than observer scoring for change in narrowing in the 12 months interval. Three of 4 programs were more discriminating than observer scoring for the 0-18 month interval. The program that failed to discriminate in the 0-12 month interval was not the same program that failed in the 0-18 month interval. The committee agreed at an interim meeting in November 2007 that an important goal for computer-based measurement programs is a 90% success rate in making measurements of joint pairs in followup studies. This means that the same joint must be measured in images of both timepoints in order to assess change over time in serial radiographs. None of the programs met this 90% threshold, but 3 programs achieved 85%-90% success rate. Intraclass correlation coefficients for assessing change in joint space width in individual joints were 0.98 or 0.99 for 4 programs. The smallest detectable change was < 0.2 mm for 4 of the 5 programs, representing 29%-36% of the change within the 99th percentile of measurements.
authors: Maastricht University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Subdivision of Rheumatology, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: John T
authors: JT
authors: Sharp
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Angwin
authors: Maarten
authors: M
authors: Boers
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Duryea
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Finckh
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Hall
authors: Joost A
authors: JA
authors: Kauffman
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Landewé
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Langs
authors: Cédric
authors: C
authors: Lukas
authors: H J Bernelot
authors: HJ
authors: Moens
authors: Philipp
authors: P
authors: Peloschek
authors: C Vibeke
authors: CV
authors: Strand
authors: Désirée
authors: D
authors: van der Heijde
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software / Q000592:standards