| Name of the Instrument/Tool | Simplified Psoriatic Arthritis Radiographic Score (SPARS) |
| First Description |
Salaffi F, Carotti M, Di Donato E, Di Carlo M, Luchetti MM, Ceccarelli L, Giovagnoni A. Preliminary validation of the Simplified Psoriatic Arthritis Radiographic Score (SPARS). Skeletal Radiol. 2019 Jul;48(7):1033-1041. doi: 10.1007/s00256-018-3124-0. Epub 2018 Dec 7. PMID: 30535825. |
| Year | 2018 |
| Domains | |
| Concept of constructs | Damage |
| Population/Disease | Disease specific |
| Originally developed for | Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) |
| Other rheumatic diseases where can be applied (only if validated) |
--- |
| Additional population with no rheumatic diseases |
No |
| Language: Originally published in | - |
| Available in Language | --- |
| REFERENCE IDENTIFICATION | |
| Author/s | Salaffi F, Carotti M, Di Donato E, Di Carlo M, Luchetti MM, Ceccarelli L, Giovagnoni A. |
| Title | Preliminary validation of the Simplified Psoriatic Arthritis Radiographic Score (SPARS). |
| Journal | Skeletal Radiol. |
| Year | 2019 |
| Vol | 48 |
| Num | 7 |
| Pages | 1033-1041 |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | English |
| Other references of interest | |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30810904/ |
| Brief Description |
Musculoskeletal imaging of the inflammatory and degenerative joints: current status and perspectives. |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35221735/ |
| Brief Description |
New Perspectives on Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis by Imaging Techniques. |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33195301/ |
| Brief Description |
Recent Advances in Imaging for Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Prognosis of Psoriatic Arthritis. |
| Instrument/Tool Translations References | |
| No other References. | |
| DEVELOPER CONTACT INFORMATION | |
| Correspondence to | Marco Di Carlo |
| dica.marco@yahoo.it. | |
| Address | --- |
| Website | --- |
| Available | --- |
| Links | --- |
| DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT | |
| Type Of Measure | Score |
| Brief Description |
Simplified Psoriatic Arthritis Radiographic Score (SPARS) is a psoriatic arthritis scoring system that takes into account not only the destructive changes but also osteoproliferation. The SPARS definition was obtained through a consensus analysis, involving three radiologists skilled in musculoskeletal imaging, and four rheumatologists with clinical experience on PsA and radiographic scoring systems. SPARS assesses the same joints of the PARS, but the grade of the combination of erosions and bony proliferation (BP) of the PARS is simply replaced by the sum of joints with erosions and the number of joints with BP. |
| Number of Items | 40 joints |
| Range | 0-120 |
| Responses options/scale |
No |
| Developed for | Clinical practice, Research |
| PRACTICAL APPLICATION | |
| Method of administration | Physician |
| Recommendations to score |
In SPARS, a joint is defined as eroded (score 1) if one or more erosions with an interruption of the cortical plate > 1 mm (PARS grade 1 of DS) can be observed. JSN is present (score 1) if at least an asymmetrical or minimal narrowing up is detectable (mSvdHS grade 1). BP is considered (score 1) if a proliferation of 1–2 mm or a bone growth < 25% of the diameter (PARS grade 1 of BP) are detectable. For each joint, the score assigned ranges from 0 (no structural damage) to 3 (coexisting presence of erosions, JSN, and BP). |
| Score Interpretation | Higher scores represent more structural damage. |
| Cut-off points | --- |
| Cut-off points applied to | --- |
| Smallest detectable change if described | --- |
| Smallest detectable change applied to | --- |
| Completion time by the patient | 0 minutes |
| Scoring time by the assessor | 4.5 minutes |
| Training to score | Not necessary |
| Strengths | Easy to use, Useful in clinical practice & research |
| Limitations | --- |
| OTHER COMMENTS | |
| Other Comments | --- |