We assessed construct validity of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) joint space outcomes by comparison with radiographs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
In 43 patients, quantitative, volumetric, HR-pQCT measurements were compared with ordinal Sharp/van der Heijde scoring (SvdH) in the 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal joints.
Generalized estimating equations showed that joint space minimum, SD, and asymmetry by HR-pQCT were associated with SvdH scores (p < 0.05). There was a considerable range in HR-pQCT measurements at SvdH equal to 0.
HR-pQCT demonstrated construct validity outcomes and provides improved 3-D visualization of joint space.