Axial spondyloarthritis

Deodhar discusses the results of a study comparing the symptoms and treatment patterns in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

The oral therapy filgotinib could be a more effective treatment for patients with active ankylosing spondylitis who fail treatment with NSAIDs, according to the results of a study presented at the Clinical Congress of Rheumatology West in San Diego last month.

An international physician group writing in the British journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, has updated recommended parameters that constitute lesions in the sacroiliac joints of patients with spondyloarthritis. The definitions of capsulitis, enthesitis, fat lesion and erosion were revised and new definitions were developed for joint space enhancement, joint space fluid, fat metaplasia in an erosion cavity, ankylosis and bone bud.

Previously, smoking was the sole known modifiable predictor of spinal structural damage, but now alcohol consumption has been shown to be associated with the progression of spinal structural damage in axial spondyloarthritis―specifically by increasing the odds of syndesmophyte progression over two years. 

In this slideshow, we highlight 12 recommendations for assessing MRI lesions on the sacroiliac joints of patients with spondyloarthritis. The recommendations were made by the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) MRI working group and published in the British journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases earlier this year. 

A 12-week phase 2 study comparing filgotinib to placebo found the oral, selective JAK1-inhibitor could be an effective treatment for ankylosing spondylitis.

Review shows inconsistencies in infliximab concentrations for patients with spondyloarthritis. More research is needed to determin optimal dosages to achieve a clinical response in spondyloarthritis.

Updated treatment recommendations have been issued for ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. There are 86 recommendations. In this slideshow, we highlight those categorized as "strongly recommended." 

Lilly has announced that it received FDA approval for Taltz (ixekizumab) for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (radiographic axial spondyloarthritis).

The new approval represents the third time the FDA approved the injection treatments for adults.

A new set of guidelines has been released by the American College of Rheumatology, Spondylitis Association of America and the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network are offering guidance to physicians on treating axial spondyloarthritis.

An Indian-made biosimilar to adalimumab has been shown to be safe and effective for up to 24 weeks in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, say researchers writing in ACR Open Rheumatology this month.

Bone erosion, fat in joint spaces (backfill), and ankylosis visible on MRI could help identify women with axial spondyloarthritis, investigators wrote in a research article published last month in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

The established criteria for radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and axial spondyloarthritis that is classified as ankylosing spondylitis-is essentially the same, report physicians who recommend the interchangeable use of the terms "ankylosing spondylitis" and "radiographic axial spondyloarthritis."

New research shows that a newly identified species of gut bacteria is significantly depleted in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

High levels of comorbidity burden are associated independently with poor physical function and increased disability in patients with psoriatic arthritis, however, patients ankylosing spondylitis did not report worse function when comorbidities were present.

In an effort to determine what causes immune mediated diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis, researchers have focused on learning more about genetic pathogenic pathways responsible for autoimmunity. In this article, we review the data and highlight best practices.

A new study of long-term data demonstrates that infliximab and golimumab are both effective, safe treatments for symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.

In a recent edition of Frontiers in Immunology, Dr. Walter Maksymowych, University of Alberta, reviews the use of biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in axial spondyloarthritis. Learn more in this summary.

Children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis, manifesting as non-systemic polyarthritis, sacroilitis or enthesitis, have a number of therapeutic options available. In this article, we outline the options.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is never a straightforward diagnosis. In this slideshow, we highlight 11 disease manifestations associated with axSpA.

Delays in diagnosing axSpA are troubling, write the authors of a report in the journal Rheumatology. Delays of up to 10 years have been reported. Not all physicians may be familiar with the signs and symptoms of axSpA.

Physiotherapy, exercise and pain medications should be part of the treatment plan to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from stiffness associated with axial spondyloarthritis.

The cause of discovertebral lesions in ankylosing spondylitis may be due to infectious, inflammatory or traumatic etiologies suggest researchers writing in the Journal of Rheumatology. They examined the most prevalent-and conflicting-theories associated with this medical mystery.