Artificial Intelligence in Rheumatology: From Algorithms to Clinical Impact in Osteoporosis and Chronic Inflammatory...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• AI is revolutionizing medicine, offering data-driven insights for diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized patient care.
• Applications of AI in rheumatology are expanding across imaging, disease monitoring, and treatment decision support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on AI applications in osteoporosis and chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• To assess the methodological quality and clinical applicability of AI tools in rheumatology.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review adhering to SANRA criteria.
• Systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane Library (Jan 2015 - July 2025) for AI in osteoporosis and inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• Inclusion of 323 relevant articles.

Main Results:

• AI models excel in predicting bone mineral density, bone loss, and fractures in osteoporosis.
• AI enhances imaging interpretation, particularly for sacroiliitis in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• AI shows potential in predicting disease risk, activity, and treatment response, with hybrid models being promising.

Conclusions:

• AI offers significant potential for improving diagnosis and personalized management in rheumatology.
• Key challenges include data heterogeneity, limited validation, poor explainability, and integration barriers.
• Future research requires prospective studies and robust validation for clinical impact.