Progression of Bone Erosions in Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessed by HR-pQCT and Conventional X-ray

Rheumatoid arthritis patients Inclusion criteria * Patients (\> 18 years) with rheumatoid arthritis ≥5 years according to the ACR/EULAR (2010) classification criteria or American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the patients who were diagnosed before 2010. * Patients who are receiving treatment on an outpatient basis. * Ability and willingness to give written informed consent and to meet the requirements of the trial protocol. Exclusion criteria * Patients who have previously suffered trauma in the form of fracture or luxation of the hand are excluded. * Evidence of active malignant disease. * Hypo- or hyperthyroidism. * Hypocalcaemia. * Impaired renal function (eGFR \<35ml/min). * Pregnancy. Pre-rheumatoid arthritis patients Inclusion criteria * Age over 18 years. * Anti-CCP 3 times the upper limit of the reference interval. * Arthralgia. * Ability and willingness to give written informed consent and to meet the requirements of the trial protocol. Exclusion criteria * Pregnancy. * Swelling of joints. Verified by clinical ultrasound. * Patients who have previously suffered trauma in the form of fracture or luxation of the hand are excluded. * Evidence of malignant disease. * Hypo- or hyperthyroidism. * Hypocalcaemia. Healthy subjects Inclusion criteria * Age over 18 years. * No joint complaints. * Ability and willingness to give written informed consent and to meet the requirements of the trial protocol. Exclusion criteria * Patients who have previously suffered trauma in the form of fracture or luxation of the hand are excluded. * Evidence of malignant disease. * Hypo- or hyperthyroidism. * Hypocalcaemia. * Impaired renal function (eGFR \<35ml/min). * Earlier or present rheumatological disease or bone metabolic disease. * Positive anti-CCP. * Pregnancy.