Title: Improving the management and outcome of JIA: Development of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging for assessing disease activity and drug response
Funder: Action Medical Research

Abstract: Background_x000D_ Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a disease affecting children and young people under the age of 16. Typically their joints become very painful and inflamed, and over time, this can result in permanent joint damage. It is estimated that around 12,000 children in the UK have JIA, which represents one in every 1,000 young people. In about 30 per cent of cases, the disease persists into adulthood with patients suffering constant pain, increasing disability and patients typically need several joint replacements. Lifelong inflammatory arthritis can affect employment prospects and have an impact on all aspects of life. _x000D_ _x000D_ There are new drug treatments that can reduce inflammation and joint damage. However, these powerful drugs can have serious side effects and are expensive. It is important that the right drug is used at the right time for each patient. It is hard for doctors to assess joint inflammation, and blood tests are often unhelpful. These researchers have developed specialised magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that can show when joints are inflamed. They now want to develop these specialised scans to help doctors assess joint inflammation better. _x000D_ _x000D_ The research project_x000D_ The MRI scans produce both pictures and numerical scores that show the amount of inflammation in joints. The team will use advanced computerised techniques to process the numerical inflammation data and produce easy-to-understand, colour-coded images for doctors and patients. These images will show areas of inflammation which are improving (green) or worsening (red). This will help doctors select the best treatment and decide when drug treatment should start or change. Giving the most appropriate treatment at the right time is likely to reduce long-term joint damage and improve patients' quality of life. The researchers also plan to develop inflammation scores (thresholds) that help doctors decide when to change treatment. The overall aim is to reduce pain and disability and to improve long-term health and quality of life of children with JIA. _x000D_ _x000D_ Humanimal Trust is kindly helping to support this research.

Lay abstract: Background_x000D_ Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a disease affecting children and young people under the age of 16. Typically their joints become very painful and inflamed, and over time, this can result in permanent joint damage. It is estimated that around 12,000 children in the UK have JIA, which represents one in every 1,000 young people. In about 30 per cent of cases, the disease persists into adulthood with patients suffering constant pain, increasing disability and patients typically need several joint replacements. Lifelong inflammatory arthritis can affect employment prospects and have an impact on all aspects of life. _x000D_ _x000D_ There are new drug treatments that can reduce inflammation and joint damage. However, these powerful drugs can have serious side effects and are expensive. It is important that the right drug is used at the right time for each patient. It is hard for doctors to assess joint inflammation, and blood tests are often unhelpful. These researchers have developed specialised magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that can show when joints are inflamed. They now want to develop these specialised scans to help doctors assess joint inflammation better. _x000D_ _x000D_ The research project_x000D_ The MRI scans produce both pictures and numerical scores that show the amount of inflammation in joints. The team will use advanced computerised techniques to process the numerical inflammation data and produce easy-to-understand, colour-coded images for doctors and patients. These images will show areas of inflammation which are improving (green) or worsening (red). This will help doctors select the best treatment and decide when drug treatment should start or change. Giving the most appropriate treatment at the right time is likely to reduce long-term joint damage and improve patients' quality of life. The researchers also plan to develop inflammation scores (thresholds) that help doctors decide when to change treatment. The overall aim is to reduce pain and disability and to improve long-term health and quality of life of children with JIA. _x000D_ _x000D_ Humanimal Trust is kindly helping to support this research.

Research activity codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: INFLAMMATORY AND IMMUNE SYSTEM