The SPECTRA Collaboration OMERACT Working Group: Construct Validity of Joint Space Outcomes with High-resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography

Objective. 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. Methods. 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. Results. 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. Conclusion. HR-pQCT demonstrated construct validity outcomes and provides improved 3-D visualization of joint space.