objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)for rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods The major international databases was searched by computer and Other methods to collect control studies about MRI for the diagnosis of RA,the searching deadline was December 2009.Data were screened and extracted by inclusion criteria.Meta-disc software Was used for statistics,including sensitivity,specificity,positive likelihood ratio,negative likelihood ratio,diagnostic odds ratio(OR)and heterogeneity analysis.Results Twelve random control tests were included.Meta-analysis indicated that sensitivities of vities of synovitis,bone-erosion and tendenosynovitis were 81%~100%,48%～100%and 67%～96%while specificities of them were 64%～89%,16%~100%and 21%-74%respectively for RA patients(≤2vears).Sensitivities of synovitis and bone-erosion were 91%and 84%while specificities of them were 70%and 81%for RA Datients (>2 years).Conclusion Synovitis shown by MRI is helpful for the diagnosis of earlv and med-to-late RA.Diagnostic values of bone-erosion and tendonosynovitis demonstrated by MRI for earlv RA were not clear.The sample size of the included studies is small and some studies lack of control groupsput the conclusion of this meta-analysis liable for bias.We suggest that better designed and larger sample clinical studies are necessary.