Trabecular bone score value is associated with new bone formation independently of fat metaplasia on spinal magnetic resonance imaging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 2020-07, Vol.49 (4), p.292-300
• Main Authors: Kang, KY, Jung, J-Y, Lee, SK, Min, HK, Hong, YS, Park, S-H, Ju, JH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0300-9742; 1502-7732
• DOI: 10.1080/03009742.2019.1704053

To evaluate the association between trabecular bone score (TBS) and new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and to investigate whether TBS is independently associated with new bone formation. Sixty-eight patients with AS underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine to measure TBS and bone mineral density at baseline. Lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine (baseline and 2 years) were assessed for new bone formation (syndesmophyte formation and/or growth combined), and spinal MRIs were assessed for the presence or absence of fat metaplasia (FM) at the first to fourth lumbar vertebrae. The factors associated with new bone formation were analysed at the patient level and the vertebral level. New bone formation had developed in 17 patients (25%) at 2 year follow-up. Patients with new bone formation had a higher prevalence of FM and lower TBS at baseline than patients without new bone formation (p = 0.013 and p = 0.041). At the patient level, FM on MRI and low TBS (