Adalimumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis. An Investigation of Wholebody MRI, Conventional MRI, CT and Circulating Biomarkers

Adalimumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis. An Investigation of Changes in Disease Activity and Course of Joint Destruction by Use of 3 Tesla Whole-Body MRI, Dedicated 3 Tesla MRI and CT of the Hand, and Soluble Biomarkers

Adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis. An investigation of changes in disease activity and course of joint destruction by use of 3 Tesla Whole-Body MRI, dedicated 3 Tesla MRI and CT of the hand, and soluble biomarkers. Furthermore to compare ultrasound examination with wholebody MRI etc.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 18 years old and < 85 years old
• RA in accordance with American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria
• Moderate or highly active RA defined as DAS28 > 3,2 (CRP based)
• Clinical indication for TNF-α inhibitor treatment by the treating physician
• No contraindications for TNF-α inhibitor treatment
• No contraindications for MRI
• Serum creatinine in normal range
• Sufficient contraception for fertile women
• Capable of giving informed consent
• Capable of complying with the examination program of the protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other DMARDs than MTX from less than 4 weeks before inclusion and throughout the study period
• Cyclophosphamide, Chlorambucil or other alkylating agents from less than 4 weeks before inclusion and throughout the study period
• Intramuscular or intravenous injection of glucocorticoid from less than 4 weeks before inclusion and throughout the study period
• Pregnancy wish, pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Contraindications for TNF-α inhibitor treatment
• Contraindications for MRI
• Known recent drug or alcohol abuse
• Failure to provide written consent
• Incapable of complying with the examination program for physical or mental reasons