Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) / (5x) MRI Study
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to look at articular cartilage (joint tissue) of knees in patients with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthrits (JRA) using a technique called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The research doctors will study the images, or pictures, to learn if reduction in joint inflammation preserves articular cartilage.
Specifications
For children who are newly diagnosed with JRA:
- Five study visits, over three years
- Baseline (visit one), three months (visit two), 12 months (visit three), 24 months (visit four), 36 months (visit five)
For children who have had JRA for over two years:
- Four study visits, over three years
- Baseline (visit one), 12 months (visit two), 24 months (visit three), 36 months (visit four)
For all study visits:
- MRI procedure (at each study visit):
- Will occur in Radiology Department, but does not involve radiation
- Lasts 45 minutes; involves lying in the scanner "tunnel", and holding as still as possible
- Parent can remain in room while scan occurs, and can communicate with child during scan
- Requires injection of a substance (dye, called a contrast agent) to help any inflammation show up better during the scan; if rheumatology doctor needs any blood drawn for labs, the catheter or tube for this injection can be inserted at the same time to minimize needlesticks.
Participants will receive a $50 "Toys-R-Us" gift certificate as compensation for each study visit Participation in this study does not limit the types of medications or treatments your child's doctor can prescribe to treat arthritis Visits will last approximately two hours, and can happen on same day as regular Rheumatology appointmentsContact Us
For more information about this study, please contact Thomas Brent Graham, MD, Bernard Dardzinski, MD, Principal Investigator, or Wendy Bommer, Study Coordinator, 513-636-6965.
