BIKE
Biopsies of synovitis in the knee joint from patients with RA and OA
Project Manager
ABOUT THE PROJECT
A pilot study of ultrasound-guided biopsies (tissue samples) of synovitis (inflamed synovial membrane) in the knee joint from patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis who come to the outpatient clinic at Diakonhjemmet hospital due to swelling in the knee. The study is a method study to develop a good technical way of performing biopsies in the knee joint, in addition to the fact that we will map the immunological cells in the biopsies and compare biopsies from patients with inflammatory or degenerative knee disease.
Internationally, there are many centers that take ultrasound-guided biopsies of synovitis from both large and small joints. In Norway, this is the first study in which the method is used.
The purpose of the study is for us to incorporate good methods for taking biopsies, as it is expected that this will be important in the future to map out which drug treatments the individual patient should have.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Patients aged 18 years and older with rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis) or osteoarthritis.
Recruitment of participants for the study is ongoing.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INCLUDE?
In local anaesthesia, a biopsy needle is used which is only slightly thicker than a normal needle for joint puncture. A local anesthetic is inserted into the joint cavity, and then biopsies/tissue samples are taken of the synovitis (the inflamed joint membrane). If there is a need for a cortisone injection, the cortisone is put through the same needle after the biopsies have been taken.