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Clin Exp Rheumatol 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Italy.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of serious infections (SIs) among the spondyloarthropathy (SpA) patients from the "Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio delle Early Arthritis" (GISEA) registry and treated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (TNFIs), and to identify the factors associated with the development of the infections.

Methods: This observational study on 3321 GISEA-registered SpA patients collected real-world demographic and clinical data relating to their biological drug treatments. The overall incidence of infections was analysed by type of SpA. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2017 12 25;31(6):846-862. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Uveitis is a frequently occurring extra-articular manifestation of spondyloarthropathies (SpAs), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis (ReA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), occurring in both adults and children with SpA. Uveitis occurs with varying frequency according to the SpA subtype (33% in AS, 6-9% in PsA, 25% in ReA, 13% in undifferentiated SpA and 2-5% in IBD), the presence of HLA-B27 and with increasing duration of disease. The majority of cases of uveitis in SpA are attributed to acute anterior uveitis but a minority of uveitis cases occur in the posterior segment of the eye. Read More

J Proteome Res 2019 Jan 30;18(1):130-146. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University , Lucknow 226025 , India.

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a member of seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SSA), which involves an acute/subacute onset of asymmetrical lower limb joint inflammation weeks after a genitourinary/gastrointestinal infection. The diagnosis is clinical because it is difficult to culture the microbes from synovial fluid. Arthritis patients with a similar clinical picture but lapsed history of an immediate preceding infection that do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria of other members of SSA, such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, are labeled as peripheral undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (uSpA). Read More

Rom J Ophthalmol 2018 Apr-Jun;62(2):114-122

Department of Ophthalmology, University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a heterogeneous group of diseases that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis (ReA), inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis (IBD-SpA), and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (unSpA). This group of diseases shares several clinical, imaging, and genetic features; the integration of these diseases in the group of SpA is needed for an early diagnosis and a prompt treatment. Uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation of SpA. Read More

Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2018 Nov;29(6):552-557

Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The seronegative spondyloarthropathies are a closely related group of inflammatory diseases that include ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. This review focuses on the spectrum of ocular manifestations associated with these diseases and the current approaches in treating these ocular manifestations. It also highlights the role ophthalmologists can play in identifying and appropriately treating human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) associated uveitis and the associated spondyloarthropathies in order to limit ocular and systemic morbidity. Read More

Scand J Immunol 2018 May;87(5):e12663

Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic type of human primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). Clinically, CVID is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections and a wide variety of autoimmune and rheumatologic disorders. All patients with CVID registered in Iranian PID Registry (IPIDR) were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Read More

Wiad Lek 2018;71(1 pt 1):10-16

Katedra i Klinika Reumatologii i Układowych Chorób Tkanki Łącznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny, Lublin, Polska.

Objective: Introduction: Radiosynoviorthesis (RS) is local method of treatment of remittent joint effusions among patients who obtained general improvement after disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs therapy but one or a few joints stay resistant to this treatment and intraarticular corticosteroids injections. The aim: The attempt to identification methods of efficacy assessment of the 90yttrium knee joint RS.

Patients And Methods: Material and methods: The study group consisted of 43 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 19 patients with inflammatory spondyloarthropaties (SPA) where 8 patients were treated for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 4 for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and 7 due to undifferentiated inflammatory spondyloarthropaties (USPA). Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2018 Jan-Feb;36(1):1-14. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

GenOMeC PhD, University of Siena; and Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.

The term spondyloarthritis (SpA) represents a condition characterised by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, laboratory abnormalities and imaging features; in particular, SpA is an inflammatory condition in which both peripheral and axial joints might be affected. The majority of people with this disease have either psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis, which includes ankylosing spondylitis. Less common subgroups are enteropathic SpA, which is associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), reactive arthritis, which can occur in people following gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections and undifferentiated SpA, that does not meet the diagnostic criteria of the other subgroups at onset, but that may evolve to do so later. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2018 04 19;77(4):541-548. Epub 2017 Dec 19.

Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Objectives: To describe the incidence of atrioventricular (AV) block II-III, atrial fibrillation (AF), pacemaker implantation (PM) and aortic regurgitation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared with the general population (GP) and with each other.

Methods: A prospective nationwide study with cohorts of patients with AS (n=6448), PsA (n=16 063) and uSpA (n=5190) and a GP (n=2 66 435) cohort, identified in 2001-2009 in the Swedish National Patient and Population registers. Follow-up began on 1 January 2006 and ended at event, death, emigration or 31 December 2012. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2017 05 18;19(1):102. Epub 2017 May 18.

Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Background: To investigate the risk of first-time acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA), compared to each other and to the general population (GP).

Methods: This is a prospective nationwide cohort study. Cohorts with AS (n = 6448), PsA (n = 16,063) and uSpA (n = 5190) patients and a GP (n = 266,435) cohort, were identified 2001-2009 in the Swedish National Patient and Population registers. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Jan;96(4):e5960

aDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui bDepartment of Obstetrics, South Medical University Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong cDepartment of Rheumatism and Immunity, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.

Background: The idea that undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA) represents the early undifferentiated stage of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other well-defined SpA subtypes is well known. The gist of this study is to assess the rate estimate of patients with uSpA evolved to AS during long-term follow-up.

Methods: A systematic search was implemented to identify pertinent articles. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2017 Apr 24;36(4):953-958. Epub 2016 Dec 24.

Department of Rheumatology, Universidad de La Sabana-Hospital Militar Central, Km 7, Autopista Norte de Bogota, Chia, Colombia.

There is substantial evidence that non-B27 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are associated with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Studies in Mexican and Tunisian populations demonstrated the association of SpA and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B15. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of HLA-A, B, and DR antigens in a group of Colombian patients with a diagnosis of SpA. Read More

Drug Des Devel Ther 2016 23;10:3065-3069. Epub 2016 Sep 23.

Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine.

In the current study, the overall prevalence and the main underlying etiologies of inflammatory low back pain (ILBP) were determined, and the effectiveness of treatment with sulfasalazine was investigated in patients with inflammatory versus mechanical low back pain (LBP). In a prospective study conducted from July 2013 until August 2015, 1,779 consecutive patients within the age range of 18-50 years with a primary complaint of LBP referring to the rheumatology clinics were included. The patients were classified into two distinct groups: those suffering from ILBP (n=118) and those having mechanical LBP (n=1,661). Read More

Immunol Res 2017 02;65(1):419-422

Allergology and Immunology Laboratory, S.Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy.

Biosimilar infliximab (INX) was recently approved by the European Medicine Agency for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and psoriasis on the grounds that its pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy were comparable to those of innovator INX. The aim of this study was to investigate the real-life efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of switching from innovator to biosimilar INX in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Forty-one patients attending three Italian rheumatology centres with a previous diagnosis of SpA and clinically inactive or moderate disease activity (ASDAS-CRP < 2. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2017 Jan 4;76(1):105-111. Epub 2016 May 4.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Safety data on cancer risks following tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) (here defined as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), undifferentiated spondarthropaties (SpA UNS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA)) are scarce. Our objective was to assess risks for cancer overall and for common subtypes in patients with SpA treated with TNFi compared with TNFi-naïve patients with SpA and to the general population.

Methods: From the Swedish (Anti-Rheumatic Therapy in Sweden (ARTIS)) and Danish (DANBIO) biologics registers, we assembled 8703 (ARTIS=5448, DANBIO=3255) patients with SpA initiating a first TNFi 2001-2011. Read More

Musculoskeletal Care 2017 03 24;15(1):36-48. Epub 2016 Feb 24.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Objective: Research concerning spinal mobility in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) has focused on ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and data on the clinical diagnosis of undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (USpA) are limited. The objective was to study differences in spinal mobility between axSpA subgroups AS and USpA, including gender differences.

Methods: A total of 183 patients with axSpA from a rheumatology clinic were included in the study. Read More

Reumatizam 2015 ;62(1):20-6

Spondyloarthritis or spondyloarthropathy (SpA) is a multifactorial disease in which a disturbed interplay occurs between the immune system and environmental factors on a predisposing genetic background, which leads to inflammation and structural damage of target tissue. Many recent researches on development of SpA showed important role of innate and adaptive immunity as well as of prominent bone tissue remodeling which leads to osteoproliferation and ankylosis. It is believed that possible sites of inflammation in SpA are entheses, sinovium and gut. Read More

West Indian Med J 2015 May 6;65(1):165-169. Epub 2015 May 6.

Department of Rheumatology, Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey.

Background: In humans, it has been suggested that low-level mean platelet volume (MPV) may be related to secondary thrombosis due to inflammation. For this reason, MPV can be used as a marker showing inflammation in the body.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of MPV with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) in patients with rheumatic diseases. Read More

Scand J Rheumatol 2015 23;44(5):369-76. Epub 2015 Mar 23.

a Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research , Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg.

Objectives: Epidemiological studies of spondyloarthritis (SpA), using ICD codes from the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR), offer unique possibilities but hinge upon an understanding of the validity of the codes. The aim of this study was to validate the ICD codes for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated SpA (uSpA) in the NPR against the established classification criteria [modified New York (mNY), Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS), Amor, and European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria].

Method: All patients with an ICD-8/9/10 code of AS or uSpA in the NPR 1966-2009 at a visit to a specialist in rheumatology or internal medicine or corresponding hospitalization, alive and living in Sweden 2009, were identified (n=20,089). Read More

Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2015 Jan;35(1):37-40

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qiangji Recipe (QR) in ad- junctive treatment of axial undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (axuSpA) through a four-week open study.

Methods: Fifty-four axuSpA patients of Shen-deficiency Du-channel cold syndrome (SDDCS) in line with inclusive criteria were recruited and assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random digit table, 27 in each group. Patients in the control group took Celecoxib Capsule (0. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2015 Jun 20;74(6):970-8. Epub 2015 Feb 20.

Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Objective: To assess the effect of comedication with conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) on retention to tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA).

Methods: Data on patients with a clinical diagnosis of AS or uSpA starting treatment with adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab as their first TNFi during 2003-2010 were retrieved from the Swedish national biologics register and linked to national population based registers. Five-year drug survival was analysed by Cox regression with age, sex, baseline csDMARD comedication, TNFi type, prescription year and covariates representing frailty and socioeconomic status. Read More

Air Med J 2014 May-Jun;33(3):115-7

Aerospace Medicine Research Center, Aerospace and Subaquatic Medicine School, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Rheumatologic diseases are a challenging diagnosis when it comes to air medical disposition decision making because many of these diseases overlap and their initial presentation is insidious and relapsing remitting in future scope. Many rheumatologic diseases have musculoskeletal and other organ complications. One of these diagnoses is spondyloarthritides. Read More

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2014 Jun;16(6):421

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Box Bertsham 2013, Johannesburg, South Africa,

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is generally uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa, in part because of the rarity of HLA-B27 in this region. However, the relationship between HLA-B27 and SpA, particularly ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is complex. Despite the HLA-B 27:05 risk allele occurring in some West African populations, associated AS is not seen. Read More

Autoimmune Dis 2014 6;2014:327315. Epub 2014 Mar 6.

National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR), King Edward Memorial Hospital, 13th Floor, N.M.S. Building, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India.

Seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA) are variably associated with HLA-B∗27 antigen. HLA-B∗27 negative SpA has also been reported from different parts of the world. There is paucity of data on this entity from Indian subcontinent. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2014 Sep;66(9):1395-402

Université Paris Est Créteil and APHP, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Créteil, France.

Objective: To determine the frequency of and factors associated with early tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) antagonist therapy in everyday clinical practice in patients with suspected axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA).

Methods: We used data from the prospective observational study in the French Devenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifférenciées Récentes (DESIR; Outcome of Recent Undifferentiated Spondylarthropathies) cohort of 708 patients with recent-onset (<3 years) inflammatory back pain (IBP) suggesting axial SpA. TNFα antagonist use was recorded at months 6 and 12 and factors independently associated with TNFα antagonist therapy were identified by multivariate logistic regression. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2014 Mar 6;33(3):409-13. Epub 2014 Feb 6.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 10 NUHS Tower Block, Singapore, 119228, Singapore,

The aim of this study is to identify factors from referral information predictive of patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) requiring early review. Four hundred twenty-six consecutive rheumatologist-triaged referrals from February to June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with rheumatologist-diagnosed IA correctly triaged for review within 2 weeks from referral date. Information from referral was analyzed descriptively followed by univariate logistic regression adjusted for age and sex to identify predictors of IA. Read More

Radiol Med 2014 Mar 22;119(3):156-63. Epub 2013 Nov 22.

S.C. di Radiodiagnostica, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine 14, 16128, Genoa, Italy,

Inflammatory involvement of the spine and sacroiliac joints is the most peculiar feature of seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA), which include ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis (Reiter's syndrome), enteropathic spondylitis (related to inflammatory bowel diseases) and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies. SAPHO syndrome may also be considered a SpA, but there is no clear agreement in this respect. Imaging, along with clinical and laboratory evaluation, is an important tool to reach a correct diagnosis and to provide a precise grading of disease progression, influencing both clinical management and therapy. Read More

Enferm Clin 2013 Jul-Aug;23(4):164-9. Epub 2013 Aug 1.

Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Moisès Broggi Sant Joan Despí, Consorci Sanitari Integral CSI, Barcelona, España.

Objectives: The aims of this study are to evaluate the level of fear of post-injection pain prior to the administration, the difficulty in handling the device, and the level of satisfaction of patients using a pre-filled syringe versus an etanercept pen, as well as to evaluate the usefulness of the training given by nursing staff prior to starting with the pen, and the preferences of patients after using both devices.

Method: A prospective study was designed to follow-up a cohort of patients during a 6 months period. The data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS 18. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2013 Oct 16;52(10):1873-8. Epub 2013 Jul 16.

Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Objective: SpA is a phenotypically heterogeneous disease, with AS and PsA as its best studied subtypes. This study aimed to investigate whether, despite a different phenotypic presentation, patients with undifferentiated SpA (uSpA) have similar disease activity and response to treatment to those with AS and PsA.

Methods: 175 patients presenting at a dedicated SpA outpatient clinic were recruited in a real-life prospective cohort with follow-up every 3 months. Read More

J Rheumatol 2013 Oct 15;40(10):1719-25. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

From the Brazilian Registry of Spondyloarthritis: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Santa Casa do Rio de Janeiro, and Faculdade de Medicina Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro; Insper Institute of Education and Research, and Division of Rheumatology and Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Universidade de São Paulo, and Santa Casa de São Paulo, and Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo; Universidade de Brasília, and Hospital de Base, Brasília; Hospital Geral de Goiânia, Goiânia; Universidade de Campinas, and Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Campinas; Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus; Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Porto Alegre; Hospital Evangélico de Curitiba, and Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba; Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto; Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, and Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza; Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande; Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis; Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, and Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte; Escola de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador; Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém; and Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.

Objective: To analyze the clinical effect of enthesitis in a large Brazilian cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: A common protocol of investigation was prospectively applied to 1505 patients with SpA in 29 centers in Brazil. Clinical and demographic variables and disease indexes were investigated. Read More

Radiology 2013 Oct 27;269(1):208-15. Epub 2013 Jun 27.

Departments of Rheumatology and Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, 50 Charlton Ave East, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 2A6; Division of Rheumatology and Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont, Canada.

Purpose: To quantify the effect of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine and sacroiliac joints on clinical diagnostic confidence and to determine if MR imaging affects treatment of patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study was approved by the research ethics board and included 55 consecutive patients referred by three rheumatologists for MR imaging of the spine and sacroiliac joints. Measures of diagnostic confidence for clinical features (inflammatory back pain, mechanical back pain, muscular back pain, radicular back pain, spondylitis, sacroiliitis, and other) and overall diagnoses were made by using a Likert scale both before and after MR imaging. Read More

Pol J Radiol 2013 Apr;78(2):43-9

Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw, Poland.

Spondyloarthropathies belong to a group of rheumatic diseases, in which inflammatory changes affect mainly the sacroiliac joints, spine, peripheral joints, tendon, ligaments and capsule attachments (entheses). This group includes 6 entities: ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, reactive arthritis, undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile spondyloarthropathy. In 2009, ASAS (Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society) association, published classification criteria for spondyloarthropathies, which propose standardization of clinical-diagnostic approach in the case of sacroiliitis, spondylitis and arthritis. Read More

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2013 Aug;15(8):344

Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, No. 5, Fu-Shin St, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, 33375, Taiwan.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common rheumatic disease in the Chinese population, which is the largest population in the world associated with the global burden of health care. Herein we review and report the epidemiology and specific clinical characteristics of Chinese AS. More than 90 % of Chinese AS patients are HLA-B27 positive with the predominant HLA-B*2704 subtype; the incidence of HLA-B27 positivity ranges from 4 to 8 % in the general Chinese population. Read More

Autoimmun Rev 2014 Jan 15;13(1):20-3. Epub 2013 Jun 15.

Rheumatology Unit, L. Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy.

Musculoskeletal symptoms (articular, periarticular and muscular involvement, osteoporosis and related fractures, and fibromyalgia) are the most common frequent extra-intestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and affect 6-46% of patients. IBD-related arthropathy is one of a group of inflammatory arthritides known as seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA), which also includes idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated SpA. The articular involvement in IBD significantly affects the patients' quality of the life. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2014 Jul 14;34(7):1019-23. Epub 2013 Jun 14.

Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Locomotor System, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Brasil, 248/sala 705, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30140-001, Brazil,

The aim of the present study was to describe the outcomes of Brazilian patients with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis during an eight-year follow-up period. Patients fulfilling the European Spondyloarthritis (SpA) Study Group Classification Criteria were enrolled. Forty patients were seen at baseline, and 36 participated in the follow-up study. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2013 Sep;65(9):1482-9

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Clermont-Ferrand, Hôpital Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Objective: To clarify sex differences in early axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: In total, 475 patients included in the Devenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifférenciées Récentes (Outcome of Recent Undifferentiated Spondylarthropathies) cohort, a prospective multicenter French cohort of patients with early inflammatory back pain suggestive of SpA, and fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial SpA were studied. The clinical and imaging features were compared between sexes and according to the clinical or imaging arm of the ASAS criteria using univariate and multivariate analysis. Read More

Intern Med 2013 1;52(3):339-44. Epub 2013 Feb 1.

Department of Rheumatology, Atatürk Education and Research Hospital, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the plasma vitamin D (vit D) levels and their association with the disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA) compared with healthy populations.

Methods: This study included 161 spondyloarthritis patients (113 uSpA patients and 48 AS patients) attending our rheumatology out-patient clinic, along with 92 controls.

Results: The plasma vit D levels were 18 μg/L (8-38) in the AS group, 20 μg/L (4-92. Read More

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2012 Nov 4;16(5):401-9. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Copenhagen Arthritis Research Center, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital at Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark.

This article reviews the utility of imaging in the diagnostic work-up of suspected and undifferentiated axial and peripheral inflammatory arthritis. Radiographic findings, that is, late damage but not early inflammation, are part of the classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and they are generally part of the early examination program in arthritis. Computed tomography visualizes calcified tissue with high resolution but is rarely used unless radiography is unclear and MRI unavailable. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2012 Jul-Aug;30(4 Suppl 73):S132-5. Epub 2012 Oct 18.

Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany.

The spondyloarthritides (SpA) are a heterogenous group of rheumatic diseases which are genetically linked. The strongest genetic factors, HLA B27, ERAP-1 and IL-23R, are found at variable rates in subgroups. The new nomenclature differentiates predominantly axial SpA (axSpA) from predominantly peripheral SpA (pSpA). Read More

J Rheumatol 2012 Dec 15;39(12):2327-31. Epub 2012 Aug 15.

Department of Rheumatology, CHU de Besançon, and EA 4266, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon; Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in several subsets of spondyloarthritis (SpA) using the data of the AIR (Autoimmunity and Rituximab) registry.

Methods: All patients receiving RTX for SpA, and prospectively included in the AIR registry from September 2005 to September 2010, were retrospectively analyzed. The response to treatment was evaluated by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index for axial disease, joint count for peripheral disease, and C-reactive protein reduction. Read More

J Med Econ 2012 11;15(6):1054-63. Epub 2012 Jun 11.

Pharmerit North America, LLC Bethesda, MD, USA.

Objective: To assess concomitant extra-articular manifestation (EAM) rates in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents and examine the economic burden of uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in French and German AS patients.

Methods: Previous analyses of uveitis and IBD in AS patients treated with infliximab, etanercept or adalimumab were identified in PubMed/Medline (January 2000 to August 2011). A supplemental analysis incorporated more recent adalimumab clinical trial data (ATLAS [NCT00085644] and RHAPSODY [NCT00478660]). Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2012 May-Jun;30(3):351-7. Epub 2012 Jun 25.

Hospital Evangélico de Curitiba, Brazil.

Objectives: To analyse demographic and clinical variables in patients with disease onset before and after 40, 45 and 50 years in a large series of Brazilian SpA patients.

Methods: A common protocol of investigation was prospectively applied to 1424 SpA patients in 29 centres distributed through the main geographical regions in Brazil. The mean age at disease onset was 28. Read More

Reumatol Clin 2012 May-Jun;8(3):107-13. Epub 2012 Apr 1.

Sección de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, España.

Objective: To describe the main demographic and clinical features of patients with spondyloarthropaties in Spain.

Patients And Methods: Review of randomized clinical charts of patients with spondyloarthropaties with at least one visit to the rheumatologist in the previous two years. Information was collected on demographic and clinical data (duration of illness, diagnostic category, disease activity, extrarticular manifestations, comorbidity and work disability). Read More

Nat Rev Rheumatol 2012 Mar 27;8(5):253-61. Epub 2012 Mar 27.

Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) defines a group of interrelated diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, enteropathic-related spondylitis and arthritis, and undifferentiated SpA. The clinical presentation of SpA is heterogeneous, and no single shared distinguishing feature exists for the conditions comprising SpA; in daily practice, diagnosis is usually made on the basis of a combination of symptoms, the findings of physical examination, imaging and laboratory investigations. Several classification criteria have been developed for AS and SpA, which are useful in a research setting but cannot be automatically applied to the diagnosis of individual patients. Read More

Mo Med 2012 Jan-Feb;109(1):69-74

University of Missouri School of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, USA.

The spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases affecting the spine, peripheral joints and nonarticular structures. Often referred to as "seronegative" due to the absence of rheumatoid factor, SpA include ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis (ReA), enteropathic (IBD) associated arthritis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), as well as undifferentiated, and juvenile SpA. A broad and overlapping spectrum of disease presentations creates difficulties in determining an initial diagnosis. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2012 Jul;64(7):1089-93

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon and Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of uveitis in patients with recent inflammatory back pain (IBP) suggestive of spondylarthritis (SpA), and to investigate the impact of uveitis on the overall features of these patients.

Methods: The Devenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifférenciées Récentes (DESIR; Outcome of Recent Undifferentiated Spondylarthropathies) cohort is a prospective multicenter French cohort of 708 patients with early IBP suggestive of SpA. Uveitis was defined by an ophthalmologic episode diagnosed as uveitis by an ophthalmologist, or history of a medical diagnosis of uveitis given to the patient. Read More

J Rheumatol 2012 Jan 15;39(1):154-6. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Rheumatology, Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA11RL, UK.

Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and feasibility of the ClASsification criteria for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) to retrospectively classify an existing research cohort.

Methods: In total, 480 patient records were reviewed from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) cohort and for 100 consecutive controls with inflammatory arthritis from a general rheumatology clinic. The CASPAR score was modified for retrospective use; both "inflammation" and "current psoriasis" were recorded as present if they had ever been confirmed in the rheumatology clinic. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2011 Sep-Oct;29(5 Suppl 68):S139-42. Epub 2011 Oct 22.

Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany.

Spondyloarthritides (SpA) are chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases that usually affect the axial skeleton and may involve entheses and peripheral joints. The main subtypes are ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Other subtypes are reactive arthritis, arthritis associated with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and undifferentiated axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis. Read More

J Rheumatol 2012 Jan 1;39(1):141-7. Epub 2011 Nov 1.

Disciplina de Reumatologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455-3, Andar, Cerqueira César, São Paulo SP, Brasil, CEP 01246-903.

Objective: Spondyloarthritides (SpA) can present different disease spectra according to ethnic background. The Brazilian Registry of Spondyloarthritis (RBE) is a nationwide registry that comprises a large databank on clinical, functional, and treatment data on Brazilian patients with SpA. The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of ethnic background in SpA disease patterns in a large series of Brazilian patients. Read More