Spondyloarthritis: Difference between revisions

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== Definition/Description  ==
== Definition/Description  ==


Spondyloarthritis is a name for a group of diseases that is included in a larger term 'arthritis'.<ref name="p1">Braun J. et al, Spondyloarthritides, Internist., 2011 May 19: 5: 2C</ref><ref name="p2">Braun J., Sieper J., Spondyloarthritides., Z Rheumatol. 2010 Jul; 69(5):425-32 :4: 2C</ref><ref name="p3">Reveille J.D., Americain college of Rheumatology, 2005 Jun 5: 5</ref> Inflammation can occur in spine, sacroiliac and peripheral joints as well near the attachments of tendons and ligaments.<ref name="p3">Reveille J.D., Americain college of Rheumatology, 2005 Jun 5: 5</ref> This disease provokes to pain, stiffness and fatigue in back, legs and arms as in joints, ligaments and tendons.<ref name="p6">Rudwaleit M .Et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis and for spondyloarthritis in general. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(1):25.: 4</ref> <ref name="p7">Burgos-Vargas R.The assessment of the spondyloarthritis international society concept and criteria for the classification of axialspondyloarthritis and peripheral spondyloarthritis: A critical appraisal for the pediatric rheumatologist.  Pediatric Rheumatology 2012, 10:14  : 2C</ref>Eruption, eye and intestinal problems may also occur.<ref name="p1" /><ref name="p3">Reveille J.D., Americain college of Rheumatology, 2005 Jun 5: 5</ref><br>Spondyloarthritis in adults can be subdivided more specifically:<ref name="p1">Braun J. et al, Spondyloarthritides, Internist., 2011 May 19: 5: 2C</ref><ref name="p2">Braun J., Sieper J., Spondyloarthritides., Z Rheumatol. 2010 Jul; 69(5):425-32 :4: 2C</ref><ref name="p8">Braun J, Sieper J. Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. Nature clinical practice rheumatology. october 2006 vol 2 no 10  : 2C</ref><ref name="p9">Jürgen Braun* and Joachim Sieper†, Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis , 2006 : 2C</ref><ref name="p0">ozgur akgul, Classification criteria for spondyloarthropathies, , World J Orthop. 2011 December 18; 2(12): 107-115 : 2A</ref><ref name="p1">Sieper J. et al, The assessment of spondyloarthritis International society handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis., Ann Rheum Dis., 2009;68;1-44 :5</ref><br>  
Spondyloarthritis is a name for a group of diseases that is included in a larger term 'arthritis'.<ref name="p1"/><ref name="p2">Braun J., Sieper J., Spondyloarthritides., Z Rheumatol. 2010 Jul; 69(5):425-32 :4: 2C</ref><ref name="p3"/> Inflammation can occur in spine, sacroiliac and peripheral joints as well near the attachments of tendons and ligaments.<ref name="p3"/> This disease provokes to pain, stiffness and fatigue in back, legs and arms as in joints, ligaments and tendons.<ref name="p6">Rudwaleit M .Et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis and for spondyloarthritis in general. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(1):25.: 4</ref> <ref name="p7">Burgos-Vargas R.The assessment of the spondyloarthritis international society concept and criteria for the classification of axialspondyloarthritis and peripheral spondyloarthritis: A critical appraisal for the pediatric rheumatologist.  Pediatric Rheumatology 2012, 10:14  : 2C</ref>Eruption, eye and intestinal problems may also occur.<ref name="p1" /><ref name="p3"/><br>Spondyloarthritis in adults can be subdivided more specifically:<ref name="p1"/><ref name="p2"/><ref name="p8">Braun J, Sieper J. Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. Nature clinical practice rheumatology. october 2006 vol 2 no 10  : 2C</ref><ref name="p9">Jürgen Braun* and Joachim Sieper†, Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis , 2006 : 2C</ref><ref name="p0">ozgur akgul, Classification criteria for spondyloarthropathies, , World J Orthop. 2011 December 18; 2(12): 107-115 : 2A</ref><ref name="p1"/><br>  


*ankylosing spondylitis or Bechterew disease  
*ankylosing spondylitis or Bechterew disease  
*psoriatic arthritis<ref name="p2">Mease P.J., Psoriatic arthritis – update on pathophysiology, assessment, and management., Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis.,2010;68(3):191-8 :4</ref>  
*psoriatic arthritis<ref name="p2"/>  
*reactive arthritis<ref name="p3">Buschiazzo E. et al, Epidemiology of spondyloarthritis in Argentina, Am J Med Sci. 2011 Apr; 341(4):289-92: 3C</ref>  
*reactive arthritis<ref name="p3"/>  
*enteric arthritis  
*enteric arthritis  
*undifferentiated arthritis
*undifferentiated arthritis
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== Clinically Relevant Anatomy  ==
== Clinically Relevant Anatomy  ==


Spondyloarthritis is the overall name for a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. <ref name="p1">Braun J. et al, Spondyloarthritides, Internist., 2011 May 19: 5 : 2C</ref><ref name="p2">Braun J., Sieper J., Spondyloarthritides., Z Rheumatol. 2010 Jul; 69(5):425-32 :4: 2C</ref>  
Spondyloarthritis is the overall name for a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. <ref name="p1"/><ref name="p2"/>  


Due to this fact, there is a large complexity. This is because there are several anatomic structures involved. We can assume that the inflammation can occur on all the joints of the spine. The facet joints, endplates, bone marrow, … every part of the spine can be affected by an inflammation.&nbsp;<ref name="p4">Walter P. Maksymowych, Frpc, Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Spondyloarthritis — Avoiding the Minefield (https://jrheum.com/subscribers/07/02/259.html) 4</ref> Sacroiliitis in SpA is characterized by involvement of different joint structures. Whereas the iliac and the sacral side of the sacroiliac joints are almost equally affected, the dorsocaudal synovial part of the joint is involved significantly more often than the ventral part, especially in early disease. Sacroiliac enthesitis is not a special feature of early sacroiliac inflammation. There is a difference between axial and peripheral spondyloarthitis, with axial spondyloarthitis back pain and inflammation of the sacroiliac joints are the main complaints. In peripheral spondyloarthritis, the inflammation of peripheral joint and tendons are the main complaints. Further, spondyloarthritis can show an inflammation of peripheral joints (for example, knees and ankles), and tendons (for example, the Achilles tendon).<ref name="p1">Braun J. et al, Spondyloarthritides, Internist., 2011 May 19: 5: 2C</ref><ref name="p2">Braun J., Sieper J., Spondyloarthritides., Z Rheumatol. 2010 Jul; 69(5):425-32 :4: 2C</ref><ref name="p3">Reveille J.D., Americain college of Rheumatology, 2005 Jun 5: 5</ref><ref name="p4">Walter P. Maksymowych, Frpc, Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Spondyloarthritis — Avoiding the Minefield (https://jrheum.com/subscribers/07/02/259.html) 4</ref><br>
Due to this fact, there is a large complexity. This is because there are several anatomic structures involved. We can assume that the inflammation can occur on all the joints of the spine. The facet joints, endplates, bone marrow, … every part of the spine can be affected by an inflammation.&nbsp;<ref name="p4">Walter P. Maksymowych, Frpc, Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Spondyloarthritis — Avoiding the Minefield (https://jrheum.com/subscribers/07/02/259.html) 4</ref> Sacroiliitis in SpA is characterized by involvement of different joint structures. Whereas the iliac and the sacral side of the sacroiliac joints are almost equally affected, the dorsocaudal synovial part of the joint is involved significantly more often than the ventral part, especially in early disease. Sacroiliac enthesitis is not a special feature of early sacroiliac inflammation. There is a difference between axial and peripheral spondyloarthitis, with axial spondyloarthitis back pain and inflammation of the sacroiliac joints are the main complaints. In peripheral spondyloarthritis, the inflammation of peripheral joint and tendons are the main complaints. Further, spondyloarthritis can show an inflammation of peripheral joints (for example, knees and ankles), and tendons (for example, the Achilles tendon).<ref name="p1">Braun J. et al, Spondyloarthritides, Internist., 2011 May 19: 5: 2C</ref><ref name="p2"/><ref name="p3"/><ref name="p4"/><br>


== Epidemiology /Etiology  ==
== Epidemiology /Etiology  ==


&nbsp;Spondyloarthritis is a pathology that specifically strikes young people.<ref name="p5">Sieper J. Et al. Concepts and epidemiology of spondyloarthritis. Elsevier Ltd. 2006 : 2C</ref> The symptoms most frequently start before the age of 45.&nbsp;<ref name="p2">Braun J., Sieper J., Spondyloarthritides., Z Rheumatol. 2010 Jul; 69(5):425-32 :4: 2C</ref> It affects more males than females. <ref name="p7">Burgos-Vargas R.The assessment of the spondyloarthritis international society concept and criteria for the classification of axialspondyloarthritis and peripheral spondyloarthritis: A critical appraisal for the pediatric rheumatologist.  Pediatric Rheumatology 2012, 10:14  : 2C</ref><ref name="p6">Rudwaleit M .Et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis and for spondyloarthritis in general. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(1):25.: 4</ref><br>Predisposition to spondyloarthritis, especially SpA, is determined largely by genetic factors.<br>The incidence rate is higher in populations with a higher prevalence of HLA-B27.<ref name="p8">Braun J, Sieper J. Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. Nature clinical practice rheumatology. october 2006 vol 2 no 10  : 2C</ref><br>Psoriatic skin lesions and colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been considered as both basic, subtype-defining entities with their own genetic background (distinct from HLA-B27 genotype), and as manifestations of spondyloarthritis.<ref name="p8">Braun J, Sieper J. Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. Nature clinical practice rheumatology. october 2006 vol 2 no 10  : 2C</ref><br>There is a strong need to diagnose patients with SpA in an earlier stage; currently there is a delay of 5–10 years between onset of the first symptoms and diagnosis.<ref name="p8">Braun J, Sieper J. Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. Nature clinical practice rheumatology. october 2006 vol 2 no 10  : 2C</ref><ref name="p6">Joachim Sieper, Martin Rudwaleit, Concepts and epidemiology of Spondyloarthritis Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 401–417, 200 : 4</ref><br><br>
&nbsp;Spondyloarthritis is a pathology that specifically strikes young people.<ref name="p5">Sieper J. Et al. Concepts and epidemiology of spondyloarthritis. Elsevier Ltd. 2006 : 2C</ref> The symptoms most frequently start before the age of 45.&nbsp;<ref name="p2"/> It affects more males than females. <ref name="p7"/><ref name="p6"/><br>Predisposition to spondyloarthritis, especially SpA, is determined largely by genetic factors.<br>The incidence rate is higher in populations with a higher prevalence of HLA-B27.<ref name="p8"/><br>Psoriatic skin lesions and colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been considered as both basic, subtype-defining entities with their own genetic background (distinct from HLA-B27 genotype), and as manifestations of spondyloarthritis.<ref name="p8"/><br>There is a strong need to diagnose patients with SpA in an earlier stage; currently there is a delay of 5–10 years between onset of the first symptoms and diagnosis.<ref name="p8"/><ref name="p6"/><br><br>


== Characteristics/Clinical Presentation  ==
== Characteristics/Clinical Presentation  ==
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We can assume that severity of symptoms can vary between individuals.<ref name="Roussou" />  
We can assume that severity of symptoms can vary between individuals.<ref name="Roussou" />  


All criteria developed so far (including the ESSG and Amor criteria) were developed as classification criteria, although they are often used as diagnostic criteria <ref name="p9">Jürgen Braun* and Joachim Sieper†, Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis , 2006 : 2C</ref><ref name="p0">ozgur akgul, Classification criteria for spondyloarthropathies, , World J Orthop. 2011 December 18; 2(12): 107-115 : 2A</ref><br>
All criteria developed so far (including the ESSG and Amor criteria) were developed as classification criteria, although they are often used as diagnostic criteria <ref name="p9"/><ref name="p0"/><br>


== Differential Diagnosis  ==
== Differential Diagnosis  ==


The disease starts with hip or low back pain. The most common symptom is intermittent pain that progressively gets worse thoughout the day, in the morning, and following intensive activity. <ref name="p1">Vanesa Cruzat &amp; Raquel Cuchacovich &amp; Luis R. Espinoza Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis: Recent Clinical and Therapeutic Advances, , Curr Rheumatol Rep, 2010: 2A</ref><br>Most patients experience back pain in the sacroiliac joints. However, pain can involve all the parts of the spine. <br>Pain relief is sometimes achieved by bending over. It is possible that a patient is not able to fully expand the chest due to the involvement of the joints between the ribs.<br><br>
The disease starts with hip or low back pain. The most common symptom is intermittent pain that progressively gets worse thoughout the day, in the morning, and following intensive activity. <ref name="p1"/><br>Most patients experience back pain in the sacroiliac joints. However, pain can involve all the parts of the spine. <br>Pain relief is sometimes achieved by bending over. It is possible that a patient is not able to fully expand the chest due to the involvement of the joints between the ribs.<br><br>


== Diagnostic Procedures  ==
== Diagnostic Procedures  ==


Antecedents and physical examination are the major factors leading to diagnosis, although radiologic evidence of sacroiliitis is very helpful <ref name="p2">Amor B, Dougados M, Mijiyawa M: Criteria of the classification of spondyloarthropathies. Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic 1990, 57:85–89. : 2A</ref><ref name="p9">Rostom S, Dougados M, Gossec L. New tools for diagnosing spondyloarthropathy., Joint Bone Spine 2010; 77: 108-114 : 2A</ref> In the early-1990s, two classification criteria, Amor and the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), were proposed for diagnosing SpA <ref name="p2">Amor B, Dougados M, Mijiyawa M: Criteria of the classification of spondyloarthropathies. Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic 1990, 57:85–89. : 2A</ref><ref name="p3">Dougados M, van der Linden S, Juhlin R, et al.: The European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group preliminary criteria for the classification of spondyloarthropathy. Arthritis Rheum 1991, 34:1218–1227. :2A</ref>  
Antecedents and physical examination are the major factors leading to diagnosis, although radiologic evidence of sacroiliitis is very helpful <ref name="p2"/><ref name="p9"/> In the early-1990s, two classification criteria, Amor and the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), were proposed for diagnosing SpA <ref name="p2"/><ref name="p3"/>  


<br>Amor criteria for spondyloarthritis <ref name="p7">Amor B, Dougados M, Listrat Vet al. Are classification criteria for spondylarthropathy useful as diagnostic criteria? Revue du Rhumatisme England Edition 1995; 62: 10–15. : 3C</ref>:  
<br>Amor criteria for spondyloarthritis <ref name="p7"/>:  


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<br>  
<br>  


The need for a standardized, evidence-based approach to spondyloarthritis classification led to the development of the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG)&nbsp;<ref name="p6">Joachim Sieper, Martin Rudwaleit, Concepts and epidemiology of Spondyloarthritis Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 401–417, 200 : 4</ref> preliminary classification criteria for spondyloarthritis in 1991 <ref name="p5">Jürgen Braun* and Joachim Sieper†, Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis , 2006: 2C</ref>:<br>Inflammatory spinal pain or synovitis (asymmetric, predominantly in lower limbs) and any one of the following:&nbsp;<ref name="p6">Joachim Sieper, Martin Rudwaleit, Concepts and epidemiology of Spondyloarthritis Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 401–417, 200 : 4</ref>  
The need for a standardized, evidence-based approach to spondyloarthritis classification led to the development of the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG)&nbsp;<ref name="p6"/> preliminary classification criteria for spondyloarthritis in 1991 <ref name="p5"/>:<br>Inflammatory spinal pain or synovitis (asymmetric, predominantly in lower limbs) and any one of the following:&nbsp;<ref name="p6"/>  


*Positive family history  
*Positive family history  
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*Radiological sacroilits
*Radiological sacroilits


Another is the concept of IBP (Low Back Pain), which is defined as the presence of at least four of the following five parameters <ref name="p1">Vanesa Cruzat &amp; Raquel Cuchacovich &amp; Luis R. Espinoza Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis: Recent Clinical and Therapeutic Advances, , Curr Rheumatol Rep, 2010: 2A</ref>, <ref name="p8">Rosaline van den Berg, Désirée M.F.M. van der Heijde, How should we diagnose spondyloarthritis according to the ASAS classification criteria A guide for practicing physicians University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, 2010 : 3B</ref>:<br>  
Another is the concept of IBP (Low Back Pain), which is defined as the presence of at least four of the following five parameters <ref name="p1"/>, <ref name="p8"/>:<br>  


#Age at onset less than 40 years  
#Age at onset less than 40 years  
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#Pain at night (with improvement upon getting up).
#Pain at night (with improvement upon getting up).


Studies are under way to define ASAS criteria for nonaxial (peripheral) SpA. <br>In the ASAS classification criteria, several SpA features are described. These features are called SpA features because they are frequently present in patients with SpA ,<ref name="p4">Rudaleit M, Landewe R, van der Heijde D, et al. The development of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis (part II): validation and final selection. Ann Rheum Dis 2009, 68:777–783. : 2A</ref><ref name="p8">Rosaline van den Berg, Désirée M.F.M. van der Heijde, How should we diagnose spondyloarthritis according to the ASAS classification criteria A guide for practicing physicians University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, 2010 : 3B</ref>  
Studies are under way to define ASAS criteria for nonaxial (peripheral) SpA. <br>In the ASAS classification criteria, several SpA features are described. These features are called SpA features because they are frequently present in patients with SpA ,<ref name="p4"/><ref name="p8"/>  


[[Image:ASAS classification.png]]  
[[Image:ASAS classification.png]]  


The main features of an early diagnosis of any rheumatic disease, including spondyloarthritis, are clinical history, clinical symptoms, clinical examination, laboratory parameters and imaging. <ref name="p5">Jürgen Braun* and Joachim Sieper†, Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis , 2006: 2C</ref><br>Clinical symptoms:<br>  
The main features of an early diagnosis of any rheumatic disease, including spondyloarthritis, are clinical history, clinical symptoms, clinical examination, laboratory parameters and imaging. <ref name="p5"/><br>Clinical symptoms:<br>  


*Inflammatory back pain  
*Inflammatory back pain  
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== Outcome Measures  ==
== Outcome Measures  ==


*BASFI <ref name="p1">El Miedany Y. Towards a multidimensional patient reported outcome measures assessment: Development and validation of a questionnaire for patients with ankylosing spondylitis/spondyloarthritis. Elsevier. Volume 77, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 575–581) : 4</ref><br>  
*BASFI <ref name="p1"/><br>  
*BASDAI <ref name="p1">El Miedany Y. Towards a multidimensional patient reported outcome measures assessment: Development and validation of a questionnaire for patients with ankylosing spondylitis/spondyloarthritis. Elsevier. Volume 77, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 575–581) : 4</ref><br>  
*BASDAI <ref name="p1"/><br>  
*BASMI&nbsp;<ref name="p1">El Miedany Y. Towards a multidimensional patient reported outcome measures assessment: Development and validation of a questionnaire for patients with ankylosing spondylitis/spondyloarthritis. Elsevier. Volume 77, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 575–581) : 4</ref>&nbsp; [[The Bath Indices]]
*BASMI&nbsp;<ref name="p1"/>&nbsp; [[The Bath Indices]]


*Pain <ref name="p1">El Miedany Y. Towards a multidimensional patient reported outcome measures assessment: Development and validation of a questionnaire for patients with ankylosing spondylitis/spondyloarthritis. Elsevier. Volume 77, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 575–581) : 4</ref><br>  
*Pain <ref name="p1"/><br>  
*ASQoL <ref name="p1">El Miedany Y. Towards a multidimensional patient reported outcome measures assessment: Development and validation of a questionnaire for patients with ankylosing spondylitis/spondyloarthritis. Elsevier. Volume 77, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 575–581) : 4</ref><br>  
*ASQoL <ref name="p1"/><br>  
*Questionnaire Rasch model: <ref name="p0">ozgur akgul, Classification criteria for spondyloarthropathies, , World J Orthop. 2011 December 18; 2(12): 107-115 : 2A</ref><br>
*Questionnaire Rasch model: <ref name="p0"/><br>


- assessment of functional disability<br>- quality of life<br>- VAS for spinal pain<br>- joint pain<br>- global status<br>- fatigue<br>- duration of morning stiffness<br>- review of the systems<br>- falls and cardiovascular risks, <br>- self-helplessness as well as self-reported joint<br>- soft tissue pain.<br><br>  
- assessment of functional disability<br>- quality of life<br>- VAS for spinal pain<br>- joint pain<br>- global status<br>- fatigue<br>- duration of morning stiffness<br>- review of the systems<br>- falls and cardiovascular risks, <br>- self-helplessness as well as self-reported joint<br>- soft tissue pain.<br><br>  
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== Examination  ==
== Examination  ==


Patients with spondyloarthritis will complain about back pain, fatigue and stiffness. The pain will decrease when the patients exercise, but will persist at they rest. It is common for the patient to have pain at night, this pain can improve when the patients gets out of bed and moves around. (this should improve when they get up).<ref name="p2">David &amp; Mease, Insights to the pathology and treatment of spondyloarthritis: from the bench to the clinic 2008, Semin Arthritis Rheum 38:83-100 :1</ref> <ref name="p0">Van den Berg et al. How should we diagnose spondyloarthritis according to the ASAS classification criteria: a guide for practicing physicians. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2010 Nov;120(11):452-7. : 3</ref><br>The motion of the lumbar spine of the patients will be limited in both the sagittal and the frontal planes. <ref name="p2">David &amp; Mease, Insights to the pathology and treatment of spondyloarthritis: from the bench to the clinic 2008, Semin Arthritis Rheum 38:83-100 :1</ref><br>Psoriasis, finger swelling, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can be indicative for Spondyloarthritis.<br>NSAIDS have shown to help relieve symptoms<br>  
Patients with spondyloarthritis will complain about back pain, fatigue and stiffness. The pain will decrease when the patients exercise, but will persist at they rest. It is common for the patient to have pain at night, this pain can improve when the patients gets out of bed and moves around. (this should improve when they get up).<ref name="p2"/> <ref name="p0"/><br>The motion of the lumbar spine of the patients will be limited in both the sagittal and the frontal planes. <ref name="p2"/><br>Psoriasis, finger swelling, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can be indicative for Spondyloarthritis.<br>NSAIDS have shown to help relieve symptoms<br>  


Sacroiliitis grade ≥ 2 bilaterally or grade 3 to 4 unilaterally is suggestive for SpA.<br>(grade 0: normal; grade I: some blurring of the joint margins - suspicious; grade II: minimal sclerosis with some erosion; grade III: definite sclerosis on both sides of joint 5 &amp; severe erosions with widening of joint space with or without ankylosis; grade IV: complete ankylosis)&nbsp; <ref name="p6">Peh WC. Clinics in diagnostic imaging (70). Bilateral sacroiliitis due to ankylosing spondylitis. Singapore Med J. 2002;43 (2): 107-11. : 4</ref><ref name="p7">Geijer M, Gadeholt göthlin G, Göthlin JH. The validity of the New York radiological grading criteria in diagnosing sacroiliitis by computed tomography. Acta Radiol. 2009;50 (6): 664-73.: 1</ref>  
Sacroiliitis grade ≥ 2 bilaterally or grade 3 to 4 unilaterally is suggestive for SpA.<br>(grade 0: normal; grade I: some blurring of the joint margins - suspicious; grade II: minimal sclerosis with some erosion; grade III: definite sclerosis on both sides of joint 5 &amp; severe erosions with widening of joint space with or without ankylosis; grade IV: complete ankylosis)&nbsp; <ref name="p6"/><ref name="p7"/>  


There are also active inflammatory and chronic lesions that can be found on a MRI-scan (see images).&nbsp;<ref name="p3">Sieper et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis. 2009 Annals of Rheumatics Diseases 2009;68(Suppl II):ii1–ii44. doi:10.1136/ard.2008.104018 : 5</ref>&nbsp;<ref name="p8">Bandinelli et al. Clinical and radiological evaluation of sacroiliac joints compared with ultrasound examination in early spondyloarthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2013 Jul;52(7):1293-7. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/ket105. Epub 2013 Mar 26. :3</ref> <ref name="p9">Marzo-Ortega et al. Magnetic resonance imaging in spondyloarthritis Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2010 Jul;22(4):381-7. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0b013e328339381e. : 2</ref><br>[[Image:MRI1.png]]<br>  
There are also active inflammatory and chronic lesions that can be found on a MRI-scan (see images).&nbsp;<ref name="p3"/>&nbsp;<ref name="p8"/> <ref name="p9"/><br>[[Image:MRI1.png]]<br>  


<ref name="p3">Sieper et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis. 2009 Annals of Rheumatics Diseases 2009;68(Suppl II):ii1–ii44. doi:10.1136/ard.2008.104018 : 5</ref>Sieper et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis<br>  
<ref name="p3"/>Sieper et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis<br>  


<br>  
<br>  


Laboratory testing<br>• Common presence of human leukocyte antigen-B27<br>• Elevated C-reactive protein<br>• Absence of rheumatoid factor <ref name="p2">David &amp; Mease, Insights to the pathology and treatment of spondyloarthritis: from the bench to the clinic 2008, Semin Arthritis Rheum 38:83-100 :1</ref><br><br>
Laboratory testing<br>• Common presence of human leukocyte antigen-B27<br>• Elevated C-reactive protein<br>• Absence of rheumatoid factor <ref name="p2"/><br><br>


== Medical Management <br>  ==
== Medical Management <br>  ==


Reliant on your symptoms and how severe your condition is, the doctor can decide what kind of treatment is the best option for the patient. <br>Medicines such as:<br>- analgesics (pain-relievers, by example paracetamol) (2a)<ref name="p5">Brandt J., Six-month results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of etanercept treatment in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis, American College of Rheumatology, vol 48, issue 6, pages 1667-1675, 2003. : 1B</ref> (A)<br>- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, by example naproxen, ibuprofen).. (1b)<ref name="p4">Zochling J, ea.,  Current evidence for the management of ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic literature review for the ASAS/EULAR management recommendations in ankylosing spondylitis, Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 2006. : 3A</ref> (B)<br>- Anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been proven effective in the treatment, but only for the arms and legs, not for the spine and sacroiliac joints.<ref name="p5">Brandt J., Six-month results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of etanercept treatment in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis, American College of Rheumatology, vol 48, issue 6, pages 1667-1675, 2003. : 1B</ref> (A)<br>- Corticosteroids, given by the mouth or injections, can be effective. We must remind ourselves for the side effects, such as osteoporosis and infections.(1b)<ref name="p6">Maugars Y., Assessment of the efficacy of sacroiliac corticosteroid injections in spondyloarthopathies: a double-blind study, the british society for rheumatology, 1996. : 1B</ref> (B)<br>- Injections of depo-steroid in the joints of tendon sheaths are also used for symptomatic relief of the local flares. (1b)<ref name="p6">Maugars Y., Assessment of the efficacy of sacroiliac corticosteroid injections in spondyloarthopathies: a double-blind study, the british society for rheumatology, 1996. : 1B</ref> (B)<br>- TNF alpha blockers are also effective in both spinal and peripheral joints. (2c)<ref name="p4">Zochling J, ea.,  Current evidence for the management of ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic literature review for the ASAS/EULAR management recommendations in ankylosing spondylitis, Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 2006. : 3A</ref>]<ref name="p5">Brandt J., Six-month results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of etanercept treatment in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis, American College of Rheumatology, vol 48, issue 6, pages 1667-1675, 2003. : 1B</ref> (B)<br> There are three kind of TNF alpha blockers we can use: <br>
Reliant on your symptoms and how severe your condition is, the doctor can decide what kind of treatment is the best option for the patient. <br>Medicines such as:<br>- analgesics (pain-relievers, by example paracetamol) (2a)<ref name="p5"/> (A)<br>- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, by example naproxen, ibuprofen).. (1b)<ref name="p4"/> (B)<br>- Anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been proven effective in the treatment, but only for the arms and legs, not for the spine and sacroiliac joints.<ref name="p5"/> (A)<br>- Corticosteroids, given by the mouth or injections, can be effective. We must remind ourselves for the side effects, such as osteoporosis and infections.(1b)<ref name="p6"/> (B)<br>- Injections of depo-steroid in the joints of tendon sheaths are also used for symptomatic relief of the local flares. (1b)<ref name="p6"/> (B)<br>- TNF alpha blockers are also effective in both spinal and peripheral joints. (2c)<ref name="p4"/>]<ref name="p5"/> (B)<br> There are three kind of TNF alpha blockers we can use: <br>


*Infliximab (Remicade), given a dose of 5 mg/kg intravenously every sic to eight weeks.
*Infliximab (Remicade), given a dose of 5 mg/kg intravenously every sic to eight weeks.
Line 221: Line 221:
TNF treatment is expensive and is not without complications, therefore, NSAIDs and DMARD should be tried first. <br>- Surgery:
TNF treatment is expensive and is not without complications, therefore, NSAIDs and DMARD should be tried first. <br>- Surgery:


*Total hip replacement is also commonly done (2a)<ref name="p7">John D. Reveille, MD, Spondyloarthritis (Spondyloarthropathies),  American College of Rheumatology, 2010 : 5</ref> (B)
*Total hip replacement is also commonly done (2a)<ref name="p7"/> (B)


[[Image:HIPREPLACEMENT.jpg]]<br>  
[[Image:HIPREPLACEMENT.jpg]]<br>  
Line 227: Line 227:
(Example of a total hip replacement, [http://ehealthmd.com/content/what-hip-replacement) ehealthmd.com/content/what-hip-replacement) ]<br>  
(Example of a total hip replacement, [http://ehealthmd.com/content/what-hip-replacement) ehealthmd.com/content/what-hip-replacement) ]<br>  


*Surgical spine fusion (when spinal cord or nerve function are compromised) (2b)&nbsp;<ref name="p0">Sapkas G., ea, Surgical outcome after spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, Musculoskeletal disorders. : 2B</ref>
*Surgical spine fusion (when spinal cord or nerve function are compromised) (2b)&nbsp;<ref name="p0"/>


[[Image:POSTOPERATIVE.jpg]]<br>  
[[Image:POSTOPERATIVE.jpg]]<br>  
Line 233: Line 233:
(Postoperative x-rays anterior-posterior (A) and lateral (B) views demonstrate good pedicle screw placement and fusion at the patient’s six month follow-up., https://www.bnasurg.com/patient-resources-back-pain.php)<br>
(Postoperative x-rays anterior-posterior (A) and lateral (B) views demonstrate good pedicle screw placement and fusion at the patient’s six month follow-up., https://www.bnasurg.com/patient-resources-back-pain.php)<br>


*Surgical correction of spinal deformities, this is called an osteotomy (2a) <ref name="p7">John D. Reveille, MD, Spondyloarthritis (Spondyloarthropathies),  American College of Rheumatology, 2010 : 5</ref><ref name="p8">Xia L, Li N, ea., One-stage posterior spinal osteotomy in severe spinal deformities of 147 cases, journal of  spinal disorders &amp; techniques, 2014. : 4</ref><ref name="p9">Obeid I, Bossière L., ea, Osteotomy of the spine for multifocal deformities, European spine journal, 2014. : 2c</ref>
*Surgical correction of spinal deformities, this is called an osteotomy (2a) <ref name="p7"/><ref name="p8"/><ref name="p9"/>


[[Image:OSTEOTOMY.jpg]]<br>  
[[Image:OSTEOTOMY.jpg]]<br>  
Line 243: Line 243:
== Physical Therapy Management <br>  ==
== Physical Therapy Management <br>  ==


Apart from a medication treatment, physiotherapy is recommended in spondyloarthritis. <ref name="p4">Karapolat H. et al, Are swimming or aerobic excercise better than conventional excercise in ankylosing spondylitis patients? A randomized controlled study, Eur J Phys Rehabil Med., 2009 Dec;45(4):449-57</ref><ref name="p3">Maddali Bongi S., Del Rosso A., How to prescribe physical exercise in rheumatlogy., Reumatismo., 2010 Jan- mar;62(1):4-11</ref><br>This physical therapy generally focuses on the exercise regimens whose purpose is to maintain mobility and strength, relieve symptoms, prevent or decrease spinal deformity, and improve overall function and quality of life.&nbsp;<ref name="p1">Reimold AM., Chandran V. Nonpharmalogical therapies in spolndyloarthritis. Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Rheumatology 28 (2014) 779-792: 1</ref>  
Apart from a medication treatment, physiotherapy is recommended in spondyloarthritis. <ref name="p4"/><ref name="p3"/><br>This physical therapy generally focuses on the exercise regimens whose purpose is to maintain mobility and strength, relieve symptoms, prevent or decrease spinal deformity, and improve overall function and quality of life.&nbsp;<ref name="p1"/>  


<br>The physiotherapy treatment consists mainly of exercise therapy. Evidence level of this therapy?<br>The patients should perform daily special stretching and strengthening exercises to maintain the strength and mobility in the joints and reduce pain and stiffness.<ref name="p3">Reveille J.D., Americain college of Rheumatology, 2005 Jun 5: 5</ref><ref name="p3">Maddali Bongi S., Del Rosso A., How to prescribe physical exercise in rheumatlogy., Reumatismo., 2010 Jan- mar;62(1):4-11</ref><ref name="p5">Coronado R.A. et al, Spondyloarthritis in a patient with unilateral buttock pain and history of Chrohn disease., Phys Ther., 2010 May;90(5):784-92</ref>  
<br>The physiotherapy treatment consists mainly of exercise therapy. Evidence level of this therapy?<br>The patients should perform daily special stretching and strengthening exercises to maintain the strength and mobility in the joints and reduce pain and stiffness.<ref name="p3">Reveille J.D., Americain college of Rheumatology, 2005 Jun 5: 5</ref><ref name="p3"/><ref name="p5"/>  


<br>The strengthening exercises help to support and take pressure off sore joints. They also strengthen bones and improve balance. One can use weights or dumbbells for strengthening exercises.  
<br>The strengthening exercises help to support and take pressure off sore joints. They also strengthen bones and improve balance. One can use weights or dumbbells for strengthening exercises.  


<br>Flexibility training can maintain or even improve mobility of muscles and joints. Therefore major muscle groups such as erector spine, shoulder muscles, hip flexors, hamstrings and quadriceps should be stretched. This can also be done by partaking in yoga.<ref name="p1">O'Dwyer et al. Exercise therapy for spondyloarthritis: a systematic review. 2014. Rheumatol Int (2014) 34:887–902 :1</ref> <ref name="p4">Karapolat H. et al, Are swimming or aerobic excercise better than conventional excercise in ankylosing spondylitis patients? A randomized controlled study, Eur J Phys Rehabil Med., 2009 Dec;45(4):449-57</ref>  
<br>Flexibility training can maintain or even improve mobility of muscles and joints. Therefore major muscle groups such as erector spine, shoulder muscles, hip flexors, hamstrings and quadriceps should be stretched. This can also be done by partaking in yoga.<ref name="p1"/> <ref name="p4"/>  


<br>Spa-exercise and balneotherapy programmes have short-term benefits in QoL outcomes; spa-exercise is superior in pain relief, while balneotherapy further improves disease activity.  
<br>Spa-exercise and balneotherapy programmes have short-term benefits in QoL outcomes; spa-exercise is superior in pain relief, while balneotherapy further improves disease activity.  


<br>The balneotherapy interventions consist of mineral baths plus mud packs, radon-carbon dioxine baths, carbon dioxine baths, Dead Sea baths and tap water of 36°C.&nbsp;<ref name="p5">KÜÇÜKDEVECI et al. Inflammatory arthritis. The role of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Physicians. The European perspective based on the best evidence. A paper by the UEMS-PRM Section Professional Practice Committee. EUR J PHYS REHABIL MED 2013;49:551-64: 2</ref>  
<br>The balneotherapy interventions consist of mineral baths plus mud packs, radon-carbon dioxine baths, carbon dioxine baths, Dead Sea baths and tap water of 36°C.&nbsp;<ref name="p5"/>  


<br>Unfortunately these benefits diminish or disappear over a period of 6 to 15 months.&nbsp;<ref name="p1">Reimold AM., Chandran V. Nonpharmalogical therapies in spolndyloarthritis. Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Rheumatology 28 (2014) 779-792: 1</ref>  
<br>Unfortunately these benefits diminish or disappear over a period of 6 to 15 months.&nbsp;<ref name="p1"/>  


<br>An addition of aerobic exercise to conventional stretching and mobility home exercise programmes results in superior functional fitness. Walking and swimming are examples of such aerobic exercise.&nbsp;<ref name="p1">O'Dwyer et al. Exercise therapy for spondyloarthritis: a systematic review. 2014. Rheumatol Int (2014) 34:887–902 :1</ref> <ref name="p4">Karapolat H. et al, Are swimming or aerobic excercise better than conventional excercise in ankylosing spondylitis patients? A randomized controlled study, Eur J Phys Rehabil Med., 2009 Dec;45(4):449-57</ref>  
<br>An addition of aerobic exercise to conventional stretching and mobility home exercise programmes results in superior functional fitness. Walking and swimming are examples of such aerobic exercise.&nbsp;<ref name="p1"/> <ref name="p4"/>  


<br>• Swimming: three times a week for six weeks: <br>  
<br>• Swimming: three times a week for six weeks: <br>  
Line 269: Line 269:
*Walking exercise should be performed at 60-70% of the pVO2, at a level of 13-15 on the Borg scale and 60-70% heart rate reserve.
*Walking exercise should be performed at 60-70% of the pVO2, at a level of 13-15 on the Borg scale and 60-70% heart rate reserve.


Supervised group exercise programs have better short-term outcomes than unsupervised home exercises.The chronic nature of SpA requires ongoing, regular exercise.&nbsp;<ref name="p1">O'Dwyer et al. Exercise therapy for spondyloarthritis: a systematic review. 2014. Rheumatol Int (2014) 34:887–902 :1</ref> <ref name="p1">Reimold AM., Chandran V. Nonpharmalogical therapies in spolndyloarthritis. Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Rheumatology 28 (2014) 779-792: 1</ref> <ref name="p3">Munneke et al. Adherence and Satisfaction of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With a Long-Term Intensive Dynamic Exercise Program (RAPIT Program). Arthritis &amp; Rheumatism (Arthritis Care &amp; Research) Vol. 49, No. 5, October 15, 2003, pp 665–672 DOI 10.1002/art.11382: 2</ref><br>Special attention should be given to a good posture of the patient.<ref name="p3">Maddali Bongi S., Del Rosso A., How to prescribe physical exercise in rheumatlogy., Reumatismo., 2010 Jan- mar;62(1):4-11</ref>  
Supervised group exercise programs have better short-term outcomes than unsupervised home exercises.The chronic nature of SpA requires ongoing, regular exercise.&nbsp;<ref name="p1"/> <ref name="p1"/> <ref name="p3"/><br>Special attention should be given to a good posture of the patient.<ref name="p3"/>  


RAPIT (Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients In Training) is a training program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is a biweekly, supervised groupsession that consists of bicycle training, an exercise circuit, and a sport or a game. The duration of each session varies from 60 to 75 minutes<br><u>• Cycle ergometer training (duration: 20 minutes)</u><br>  
RAPIT (Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients In Training) is a training program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is a biweekly, supervised groupsession that consists of bicycle training, an exercise circuit, and a sport or a game. The duration of each session varies from 60 to 75 minutes<br><u>• Cycle ergometer training (duration: 20 minutes)</u><br>  
Line 276: Line 276:
#60–80 rounds per minute (rpm) and 60-80&nbsp;% of maximum heart rate (MHR=220/[226-age]) to increase aerobic capacity. Ratings of perceived exertion (0=“not at all exhausting” to 10=“maximal exhaustion”) should be at values of 5 to 6.
#60–80 rounds per minute (rpm) and 60-80&nbsp;% of maximum heart rate (MHR=220/[226-age]) to increase aerobic capacity. Ratings of perceived exertion (0=“not at all exhausting” to 10=“maximal exhaustion”) should be at values of 5 to 6.


<u>• Exercise circuit (duration: 20-30 minutes)</u><br>The cirquit training is a sequential training exercise to enhance muscle strength, strength endurance, mobility and coordination. Over 20 minutes a circuit of eight to ten single exercises is completed twice, each exercise lasting 60 to 90 seconds with 30-60 seconds resting time between each one. <br><u>• Sport/games (duration: 20 minutes)</u><br>This section of the program consists of impact-delivering sporting activities such as badminton, volleyball, indoor soccer, and basketball.<br><u>• Cool down&nbsp; <ref name="p2">Mattukat et al. Short- and long-term effects of intensive training and motivational programme for continued physical activity in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. EUR J PHYS REHABIL MED 2014;50:395-409: 3</ref><ref name="p3">Munneke et al. Adherence and Satisfaction of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With a Long-Term Intensive Dynamic Exercise Program (RAPIT Program). Arthritis &amp; Rheumatism (Arthritis Care &amp; Research) Vol. 49, No. 5, October 15, 2003, pp 665–672 DOI 10.1002/art.11382: 2</ref> <ref name="p4">De Jong et al. Is a Long-Term High-Intensity Exercise Program Effective and Safe in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis? ARTHRITIS &amp; RHEUMATISM Vol. 48, No. 9, September 2003, pp 2415–2424 DOI 10.1002/art.1121: 2</ref></u><br><br>
<u>• Exercise circuit (duration: 20-30 minutes)</u><br>The cirquit training is a sequential training exercise to enhance muscle strength, strength endurance, mobility and coordination. Over 20 minutes a circuit of eight to ten single exercises is completed twice, each exercise lasting 60 to 90 seconds with 30-60 seconds resting time between each one. <br><u>• Sport/games (duration: 20 minutes)</u><br>This section of the program consists of impact-delivering sporting activities such as badminton, volleyball, indoor soccer, and basketball.<br><u>• Cool down&nbsp; <ref name="p2"/><ref name="p3"/> <ref name="p4"/></u><br><br>


== Key Research  ==
== Key Research  ==

Revision as of 15:27, 6 June 2017

Welcome to Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Evidence-based Practice project. This space was created by and for the students in the Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy program of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Please do not edit unless you are involved in this project, but please come back in the near future to check out new information!!

Search Strategy[edit | edit source]

We used following databases:

  • Pubmed
  • Web of Knowledge
  • Web of Science
  • PEDro

The most frequently search terms:

  • Spondyloarthritis
  • Relevant structures
  • Medical management
  • Physical therapy
  • Treatment
  • Etiology
  • Relevant anatomy


Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

Spondyloarthritis is a name for a group of diseases that is included in a larger term 'arthritis'.[1][2][3] Inflammation can occur in spine, sacroiliac and peripheral joints as well near the attachments of tendons and ligaments.[3] This disease provokes to pain, stiffness and fatigue in back, legs and arms as in joints, ligaments and tendons.[4] [5]Eruption, eye and intestinal problems may also occur.[1][3]
Spondyloarthritis in adults can be subdivided more specifically:[1][2][6][7][8][1]

  • ankylosing spondylitis or Bechterew disease
  • psoriatic arthritis[2]
  • reactive arthritis[3]
  • enteric arthritis
  • undifferentiated arthritis

Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Spondyloarthritis is the overall name for a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. [1][2]

Due to this fact, there is a large complexity. This is because there are several anatomic structures involved. We can assume that the inflammation can occur on all the joints of the spine. The facet joints, endplates, bone marrow, … every part of the spine can be affected by an inflammation. [9] Sacroiliitis in SpA is characterized by involvement of different joint structures. Whereas the iliac and the sacral side of the sacroiliac joints are almost equally affected, the dorsocaudal synovial part of the joint is involved significantly more often than the ventral part, especially in early disease. Sacroiliac enthesitis is not a special feature of early sacroiliac inflammation. There is a difference between axial and peripheral spondyloarthitis, with axial spondyloarthitis back pain and inflammation of the sacroiliac joints are the main complaints. In peripheral spondyloarthritis, the inflammation of peripheral joint and tendons are the main complaints. Further, spondyloarthritis can show an inflammation of peripheral joints (for example, knees and ankles), and tendons (for example, the Achilles tendon).[1][2][3][9]

Epidemiology /Etiology[edit | edit source]

 Spondyloarthritis is a pathology that specifically strikes young people.[10] The symptoms most frequently start before the age of 45. [2] It affects more males than females. [5][4]
Predisposition to spondyloarthritis, especially SpA, is determined largely by genetic factors.
The incidence rate is higher in populations with a higher prevalence of HLA-B27.[6]
Psoriatic skin lesions and colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been considered as both basic, subtype-defining entities with their own genetic background (distinct from HLA-B27 genotype), and as manifestations of spondyloarthritis.[6]
There is a strong need to diagnose patients with SpA in an earlier stage; currently there is a delay of 5–10 years between onset of the first symptoms and diagnosis.[6][4]

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

Symptoms that may occur with spondyloarthritis are pain, stiffness and fatigue in the back, legs and arms. There are no typical characteristics, because spondyloarthritis characterizes with more than one symptom.
Here are the most common characteristics.[2][7][11][12][13][14][15]
- back pain
- osteoporosis
- spinal fractures
- peripheral arthritis, usually asymmetric, relatively more in the lower limbs.[2][3][2]
- enteritis
- dactylitis
- inflammation of the heart valve – pneumonia
- extra articular disorders such as uveitis, skin porosiasis or inflammatory bowel disease
- strong familial aggregation of spondyloarthritis, psoriasis, IBD, uveitis
- association with HLA-B27
- no increased CRP and rheumatoid factor.
We see that significantly more women have knee pain as presenting symptom.[16][17][11][12][18][13]

We can assume that severity of symptoms can vary between individuals.[18]

All criteria developed so far (including the ESSG and Amor criteria) were developed as classification criteria, although they are often used as diagnostic criteria [7][8]

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

The disease starts with hip or low back pain. The most common symptom is intermittent pain that progressively gets worse thoughout the day, in the morning, and following intensive activity. [1]
Most patients experience back pain in the sacroiliac joints. However, pain can involve all the parts of the spine.
Pain relief is sometimes achieved by bending over. It is possible that a patient is not able to fully expand the chest due to the involvement of the joints between the ribs.

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

Antecedents and physical examination are the major factors leading to diagnosis, although radiologic evidence of sacroiliitis is very helpful [2][7] In the early-1990s, two classification criteria, Amor and the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), were proposed for diagnosing SpA [2][3]


Amor criteria for spondyloarthritis [5]:

Paramters
Scoring

Clinical symptoms or past history of

Lumbar or dorsal pain at night or morning stiffness of lumbar or dorsal region

1
Asymmetric oligoarthritis
2

Buttock pain
Or if alternate buttock pain

1

2

Sausage-like toe or digit
2
Heel pain or other well- defined enthesitis
2
Iritis
2
Non- gonococcal urethritis or cervicitis within 1 month before the onset of arthritis

1

Acute diarrhoea within 1 month befor the onset of arthritis
1
Psoriasis, balanitis or inflammatory bowel disease ( ulcerative colitis or chrohn’s disease)
2
Radiological findings

Sacroiliitis (bilateral grade 2 or unilaterale grade 3) 3
Genetic background

Presence of HLA-B27 or family history of ankylosing spondylitis, reactieve arthritis, uveitis, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease
2
Response to treatment

Clear- cut improvement within 48 hours after non steroidal anti- inflammatory drug intake or rapid relapse of the pain after their discontinuation
2

A patient is considered to be suffering from spondyloarthritis if the sum is ≥ 6


The need for a standardized, evidence-based approach to spondyloarthritis classification led to the development of the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) [4] preliminary classification criteria for spondyloarthritis in 1991 [10]:
Inflammatory spinal pain or synovitis (asymmetric, predominantly in lower limbs) and any one of the following: [4]

  • Positive family history
  • Psoriasis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Acute diarrhea or urethritis or cervicitis preceding the arthritis
  • Alternate buttock pain
  • Enthesopathy
  • Radiological sacroilits

Another is the concept of IBP (Low Back Pain), which is defined as the presence of at least four of the following five parameters [1], [6]:

  1. Age at onset less than 40 years
  2. Insidious onset
  3. Improvement with exercise
  4. No improvement with rest
  5. Pain at night (with improvement upon getting up).

Studies are under way to define ASAS criteria for nonaxial (peripheral) SpA.
In the ASAS classification criteria, several SpA features are described. These features are called SpA features because they are frequently present in patients with SpA ,[9][6]

File:ASAS classification.png

The main features of an early diagnosis of any rheumatic disease, including spondyloarthritis, are clinical history, clinical symptoms, clinical examination, laboratory parameters and imaging. [10]
Clinical symptoms:

  • Inflammatory back pain
  • Arthritis ( swelling, joint effusion, or detected by imaging)
  • Accompanying features, including psoriasis, crohn-like colitis and anterior uveitis

Clinical history:

  • Family
  • Rheumatic symptoms
  • Accompanying features

Clinical examination:

  • Lateral flexion of the lumbar spine (<10cm)
  • Chest expansion (<4cm)
  • Cervical rotation (<70°)

Laboratory parameters:

  • HLA-B27
  • C- reactive protein
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Imaging:

  • Radiography
  • MRI
  • Ultrasonography

Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]

  • Pain [1]
  • ASQoL [1]
  • Questionnaire Rasch model: [8]

- assessment of functional disability
- quality of life
- VAS for spinal pain
- joint pain
- global status
- fatigue
- duration of morning stiffness
- review of the systems
- falls and cardiovascular risks,
- self-helplessness as well as self-reported joint
- soft tissue pain.


Examination[edit | edit source]

Patients with spondyloarthritis will complain about back pain, fatigue and stiffness. The pain will decrease when the patients exercise, but will persist at they rest. It is common for the patient to have pain at night, this pain can improve when the patients gets out of bed and moves around. (this should improve when they get up).[2] [8]
The motion of the lumbar spine of the patients will be limited in both the sagittal and the frontal planes. [2]
Psoriasis, finger swelling, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can be indicative for Spondyloarthritis.
NSAIDS have shown to help relieve symptoms

Sacroiliitis grade ≥ 2 bilaterally or grade 3 to 4 unilaterally is suggestive for SpA.
(grade 0: normal; grade I: some blurring of the joint margins - suspicious; grade II: minimal sclerosis with some erosion; grade III: definite sclerosis on both sides of joint 5 & severe erosions with widening of joint space with or without ankylosis; grade IV: complete ankylosis)  [4][5]

There are also active inflammatory and chronic lesions that can be found on a MRI-scan (see images). [3] [6] [7]
MRI1.png

[3]Sieper et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis


Laboratory testing
• Common presence of human leukocyte antigen-B27
• Elevated C-reactive protein
• Absence of rheumatoid factor [2]

Medical Management
[edit | edit source]

Reliant on your symptoms and how severe your condition is, the doctor can decide what kind of treatment is the best option for the patient.
Medicines such as:
- analgesics (pain-relievers, by example paracetamol) (2a)[10] (A)
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, by example naproxen, ibuprofen).. (1b)[9] (B)
- Anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been proven effective in the treatment, but only for the arms and legs, not for the spine and sacroiliac joints.[10] (A)
- Corticosteroids, given by the mouth or injections, can be effective. We must remind ourselves for the side effects, such as osteoporosis and infections.(1b)[4] (B)
- Injections of depo-steroid in the joints of tendon sheaths are also used for symptomatic relief of the local flares. (1b)[4] (B)
- TNF alpha blockers are also effective in both spinal and peripheral joints. (2c)[9]][10] (B)
There are three kind of TNF alpha blockers we can use:

  • Infliximab (Remicade), given a dose of 5 mg/kg intravenously every sic to eight weeks.
  • Etanercept (Enbrel), 25 mg given under de skin twice a week
  • Adalimumab (Humira), 40 mg injected, every other week

TNF treatment is expensive and is not without complications, therefore, NSAIDs and DMARD should be tried first.
- Surgery:

  • Total hip replacement is also commonly done (2a)[5] (B)

HIPREPLACEMENT.jpg

(Example of a total hip replacement, ehealthmd.com/content/what-hip-replacement)

  • Surgical spine fusion (when spinal cord or nerve function are compromised) (2b) [8]

POSTOPERATIVE.jpg

(Postoperative x-rays anterior-posterior (A) and lateral (B) views demonstrate good pedicle screw placement and fusion at the patient’s six month follow-up., https://www.bnasurg.com/patient-resources-back-pain.php)

  • Surgical correction of spinal deformities, this is called an osteotomy (2a) [5][6][7]

OSTEOTOMY.jpg

( Example of a osteotomy on a women of 40, who has spinal deformities caused by spondyloarthritis,

http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/6/1/6/figure/F4)
No specific drugs is considered more superior than another for the treatment of spondyloartritis.

Physical Therapy Management
[edit | edit source]

Apart from a medication treatment, physiotherapy is recommended in spondyloarthritis. [9][3]
This physical therapy generally focuses on the exercise regimens whose purpose is to maintain mobility and strength, relieve symptoms, prevent or decrease spinal deformity, and improve overall function and quality of life. [1]


The physiotherapy treatment consists mainly of exercise therapy. Evidence level of this therapy?
The patients should perform daily special stretching and strengthening exercises to maintain the strength and mobility in the joints and reduce pain and stiffness.[3][3][10]


The strengthening exercises help to support and take pressure off sore joints. They also strengthen bones and improve balance. One can use weights or dumbbells for strengthening exercises.


Flexibility training can maintain or even improve mobility of muscles and joints. Therefore major muscle groups such as erector spine, shoulder muscles, hip flexors, hamstrings and quadriceps should be stretched. This can also be done by partaking in yoga.[1] [9]


Spa-exercise and balneotherapy programmes have short-term benefits in QoL outcomes; spa-exercise is superior in pain relief, while balneotherapy further improves disease activity.


The balneotherapy interventions consist of mineral baths plus mud packs, radon-carbon dioxine baths, carbon dioxine baths, Dead Sea baths and tap water of 36°C. [10]


Unfortunately these benefits diminish or disappear over a period of 6 to 15 months. [1]


An addition of aerobic exercise to conventional stretching and mobility home exercise programmes results in superior functional fitness. Walking and swimming are examples of such aerobic exercise. [1] [9]


• Swimming: three times a week for six weeks:

  • 10 min warm-up + 5 min stretching
  • 30 min of swimming at a moderate intensity (60-70% heart rate [HR] reserve – 12 beats/minute)
  • 10 min cooling down + 5 min stretching


• Walking: 30 minutes, three times a week for six weeks.

  • Walking exercise should be performed at 60-70% of the pVO2, at a level of 13-15 on the Borg scale and 60-70% heart rate reserve.

Supervised group exercise programs have better short-term outcomes than unsupervised home exercises.The chronic nature of SpA requires ongoing, regular exercise. [1] [1] [3]
Special attention should be given to a good posture of the patient.[3]

RAPIT (Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients In Training) is a training program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is a biweekly, supervised groupsession that consists of bicycle training, an exercise circuit, and a sport or a game. The duration of each session varies from 60 to 75 minutes
• Cycle ergometer training (duration: 20 minutes)

  1. 1-2 minutes warm-up of at 40 watts (women) and 50 watts (men)
  2. 60–80 rounds per minute (rpm) and 60-80 % of maximum heart rate (MHR=220/[226-age]) to increase aerobic capacity. Ratings of perceived exertion (0=“not at all exhausting” to 10=“maximal exhaustion”) should be at values of 5 to 6.

• Exercise circuit (duration: 20-30 minutes)
The cirquit training is a sequential training exercise to enhance muscle strength, strength endurance, mobility and coordination. Over 20 minutes a circuit of eight to ten single exercises is completed twice, each exercise lasting 60 to 90 seconds with 30-60 seconds resting time between each one.
• Sport/games (duration: 20 minutes)
This section of the program consists of impact-delivering sporting activities such as badminton, volleyball, indoor soccer, and basketball.
• Cool down  [2][3] [9]

Key Research[edit | edit source]

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Resources
[edit | edit source]

Recources used for the pictures:
-http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/6/1/6/figure/F4
- https://www.bnasurg.com/patient-resources-back-pain.php
- http://ehealthmd.com/content/what-hip-replacement

Clinical Bottom Line[edit | edit source]

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]

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- Sieper J, Effect of Certolizumab Pegol over 96 Weeks in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results from a Phase 3 Randomized Trial., Arthritis Rheumatol, 2014.
- Dougados M, Evaluation of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-sparing effect of etanercept inaxial spondyloarthritis: results of the multicenter, random, Arthritis Res Ther., 2014.

References[edit | edit source]

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  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Braun J. et al, Spondyloarthritides, Internist., 2011 May 19: 5: 2C
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Braun J., Sieper J., Spondyloarthritides., Z Rheumatol. 2010 Jul; 69(5):425-32 :4: 2C
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 Reveille J.D., Americain college of Rheumatology, 2005 Jun 5: 5
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Rudwaleit M .Et al. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for peripheral spondyloarthritis and for spondyloarthritis in general. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(1):25.: 4
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Burgos-Vargas R.The assessment of the spondyloarthritis international society concept and criteria for the classification of axialspondyloarthritis and peripheral spondyloarthritis: A critical appraisal for the pediatric rheumatologist. Pediatric Rheumatology 2012, 10:14  : 2C
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Braun J, Sieper J. Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. Nature clinical practice rheumatology. october 2006 vol 2 no 10  : 2C
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Jürgen Braun* and Joachim Sieper†, Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis , 2006 : 2C
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 ozgur akgul, Classification criteria for spondyloarthropathies, , World J Orthop. 2011 December 18; 2(12): 107-115 : 2A
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 Walter P. Maksymowych, Frpc, Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Spondyloarthritis — Avoiding the Minefield (https://jrheum.com/subscribers/07/02/259.html) 4
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Sieper J. Et al. Concepts and epidemiology of spondyloarthritis. Elsevier Ltd. 2006 : 2C
  11. 11.0 11.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Mease
  12. 12.0 12.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named VDBerg
  13. 13.0 13.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Slobodin
  14. Slobodin G., Recently diagnosed axial spondyloarthritis: gender differences and factors related to delay in diagnosis., Clin Rheumatol., 2011 Mar 1
  15. Colbert R.A., Early axial spondyloarthritis., Curr Opin Rheumatol., 2010 Sep;22(5):603-7
  16. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Reveille
  17. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Sieper
  18. 18.0 18.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Roussou