title: Guidelines for magnetic resonance imaging in axial spondyloarthritis: A Delphi study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The term axial spondyloarthritis refers to a group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases with a common genetic basis that course with axial and peripheral involvement and enthesitis. Recently, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) established some diagnostic criteria, including for the first time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Given the difficulties of obtaining MRI in some environments and the lack of experience with axial spondyloarthritis, a group of radiologists and rheumatologists sought to establish some practical guidelines to ensure the correct use of MRI in this disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Delphi method, we used a questionnaire with 49 items stratified into 4 blocks to survey 46 experts in the MRI diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experts agreed on 82% of the items. The degree of agreement was 100% in the block "Importance of early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis", 69% in the block "Optimization of the use of MRI in the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis", 93% in the block "Use of MRI in axial spondyloarthritis: Technical aspects", and 57% in the block "Usefulness of MRI in the prognosis, follow-up, and evaluation of the response to treatment in axial spondyloarthritis".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the importance of MRI in the early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis, this study shows the need for standardization and points to relative disagreement about how to use MRI in the follow-up of the disease and evaluation of the response to treatment. The results of this study can help improve the use of MRI in axial spondyloarthritis.
authors: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: jose_a_narvaez@hotmail.com.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Narváez
authors: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, España.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bueno Horcajadas
authors: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: de Miguel Mendieta
authors: Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Sanz Sanz
mesh_terms: D003697:Delphi Technique; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Axial spondyloarthritis; Delphi method; Diagnosis; Diagnóstico; Espondiloartritis axial; Magnetic resonance imaging; Método Delphi; Resonancia magnética