ABSTRACT
Introduction: Inflammatory arthritis is characterized by chronic inflammation in the synovium, associated with degradation of cartilage and erosion of juxta-articular bone. The bone loss and joint destruction mediated by aberrant immunological responses resulting in proinflammatory cytokine release and various immune cell activation are known as osteoimmunology.
Areas covered: A structured literature search including Medline and PubMed, Cochrane meta-analyses and abstracts of international congresses was performed to review joint damage in inflammatory arthritis in terms of pathogenesis, novel imaging assessment, and prevention.
Expert commentary: Deeper understanding of the integration of the skeletal and immune as well as inflammatory system is paving the way to prevent bone loss and bone destruction in inflammatory arthritis. With the availability of various imaging modalities such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), we are now able to detect early joint damage, early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, monitor the progression or even ascertain whether the inflammatory process is effectively suppressed to allow repair of joint damage by novel therapeutic agents.
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Disclosure statement
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.