Responsiveness of Magnetic Resonance Enterography Indices for Evaluation of Luminal Disease Activity in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is having an increasing role in Crohn's disease; however, fully validated indices are needed. We evaluated the responsiveness of 4 MRE indices in luminal Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Paired MRE images (pretreatment and post-treatment at weeks 12 or 14) from 41 patients were scored by 3 blinded radiologists. Disease activity was scored for 4 MRE indices (magnetic resonance index of activity [MaRIA], simplified MaRIA, London index, and London extended index) and a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) of overall disease activity. The criterion for change was an improvement by at least one half of an SD in the VAS after treatment. Responsiveness was evaluated using the standardized effect size (SES). Longitudinal validity was evaluated using correlations between changes in MRE index scores and disease activity measures including endoscopy and the VAS.

RESULTS

The SES was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.56-1.77) for the simplified MaRIA, 0.98 (95% CI, 0.42-1.55) for the MaRIA, 0.95 (95% CI, 0.38-1.51) for the London extended index, and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.31-1.39) for the London index. The simplified MaRIA was significantly more responsive than the London index (ΔSES, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.05-0.58) but not the MaRIA (ΔSES, 0.18; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.38) or the London extended index (ΔSES, 0.22; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.50). Correlations with endoscopy (simplified MaRIA: r = 0.72) were not different from correlations with the VAS (London extended index: r = 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluated MRE indices showed moderate-to-large responsiveness and are suitable for use in clinical trials. The simplified MaRIA may be preferred because of its responsiveness and nonreliance on gadolinium administration.