Author: Gizem Ayan
Marques et al. (OP005) searched the sustainability of a baseline diagnosis of axSpA when reviewed after 2 years and showed that most of the patients can be reliably diagnosed at their first visit in 555 patients. Approximately one third of individuals who were newly diagnosed with chronic back pain and seek consultation with a rheumatologist exhibit clear evidence of axSpA. The majority of these patients can be accurately and consistently diagnosed during their initial evaluation. While no single symptom related to spondyloarthritis is sufficient on its own for diagnosis, medical imaging techniques prove to be the most effective means of distinguishing this condition.
Marques et al. (OP0054) explored the yield of repeated assessments of Spondyloarthritis (SpA) features over 2 years to make a definite axSpA diagnosis from the SPACE cohort. 552 patients (175 and 166 patients with definite axSpA at baseline and at 2 years respectively) were analyzed. When the diagnostic course was explored, the yield of repetitive evaluation of SpA characteristics in SPACE cohort was moderate for newly diagnosed definite axSpA. Most of the characteristics were present at baseline however imaging findings and response to NSAIDs were emerging findings over the disease course to diagnose patients. From the same cohort.
Navarro-Compan et al. (OP0055) developed a consensus definition for `early axSpA`. “early axSpA” was definedas a duration of ≤2 years of axial symptoms (that includes spinal/buttock pain or morning stiffness) which should be considered by a rheumatologist in relation to axSpA.
Torgutalp et al. (OP0057) investigated factors that are associated with disease activity/ remission achievement in early pSpA from GESPIC cohort. Overall, 115 patients were analyzed and multivariable analyses showed, psoriasis history, negative HLA-B27, steroid intake, higher NSAID intake were associated with higher activity scores. The lower odds of remission achievement were linked to longer symptom duration, psoriasis history, steroid, TNFi, higher NSAID intake, higher CRP.
Rausch Osthoff et al. (OP0090-HPR) assessed the association of grip and core muscle strength both in axSpA patients and healthy controls. 160 healthy people, 122 axSpA patients were assessed. In all (planes, core strength was lower in axSpA patients compared to healthy controls. However, all correlations were small to moderate for grip strength showing that grip strength is not appropriate measure to be used a s a proxy for core strength endurance in both axSpA patients and healthy people.
Poddubnyy et al. (OP0187) searched for the regional differences in clinical phenotype of AxSpA patients using International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS). Overall, 5557 patients participated the online survey from Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America and Africa. In Latin America, patients were less commonly HLA-B27 positive and showed spinal stiffness. Family history is mostly present in Europe and diagnostic delay was more prominent in South Africa. Overall results have shown a great heterogeneity of patients.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gizem Ayan
@drgizemayan
Gizem is a rheumatology fellow at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty in Ankara.
Her major research interests are inflammatory arthritis particularly spondyloarthritis and outcome measures in rheumatic diseases.
Gizem is a member of the Educatıon Subcommittee.