The development of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis (part II): validation and final selection

Osteoarticular manifestations: specific treatments and/or treating intestinal disease?

Osteoarticular manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) belong to the concept of spondyloarthritis (SpA) including an axial and peripheral SpA according to predominant symptoms (inflammatory back pain vs. peripheral arthritis and enthesopathy). Careful examination of sacroiliac joints on MRI plays a crucial role in the recognition of an early axial SpA in young patients with inflammatory back pain and spinal inflammation on MRI but without structural changes on radiography (non-rx SpA). In this early form of SpA, chronic gut inflammation was already found in about 30% of patients. Moreover, more pronounced bone marrow edema was found in patients with axial SpA and chronic gut inflammation. Identification of a therapeutic window in patients with early gut and spine inflammation is important since anti-TNF suppresses inflammation and seems to prevent evolution to structural changes. Shared genetic factors probably predispose to both diseases. Careful analysis of the effect of medication on gut and spine inflammation in SpA and IBD patients is recommended in order to find new therapeutic agents.

Diagnosis and progression of sacroiliitis in repeated sacroiliac joint computed tomography

Objective. To assess the clinical utility of repeat sacroiliac joint computed tomography (CT) in sacroiliitis by assessing the proportion of patients changing from normal to pathologic at CT and to which degree there is progression of established sacroiliitis at repeat CT. Methods. In a retrospective analysis of 334 patients (median age 34 years) with symptoms suggestive of inflammatory back pain, CT had been performed twice, in 47 of these thrice, and in eight patients four times. The studies were scored as normal, equivocal, unilateral sacroiliitis, or bilateral sacroiliitis. Results. There was no change in 331 of 389 repeat examinations. Ten patients (3.0%) had progressed from normal or equivocal to unilateral or bilateral sacroiliitis. Of 43 cases with sacroiliitis on the first study, 36 (83.7%) progressed markedly. Two normal cases had changed to equivocal. Eight equivocal cases were classified as normal on the repeat study. In further two patients, only small changes within the scoring grade equivocal were detected. Conclusions. CT is a valuable examination for diagnosis of sacroiliitis, but a repeated examination detects only a few additional cases of sacroiliitis. Most cases with already established sacroiliitis showed progression of disease.

Development, sensibility, and reliability of the Toronto Axial Spondyloarthritis Questionnaire in inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

There is an unacceptable delay in the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in its early stages among patients at high risk, in particular those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our objectives were to develop a sensible and reliable questionnaire to identify undetected axSpA among patients with IBD.

METHODS

Literature was reviewed for item generation in the Toronto axSpA Questionnaire on IBD (TASQ-IBD). Sensibility of the questionnaire was assessed among healthcare professionals and patients. This assessment was related to purpose and framework (clinical function, clinical justification, and clinical applicability), face validity, comprehensiveness [oligo-variability (limiting the questionnaire to important items) and transparency], replicability, content validity, and feasibility. The test-retest reliability study was administered to 77 patients with established IBD and axSpA. Kappa agreement coefficients and absolute agreement were calculated for items.

RESULTS

Three domains included IBD, inflammatory back symptoms, and extraaxial features. The entry criterion required a patient to have IBD and back pain or stiffness that ever persisted for ≥ 3 months. Iterative sensibility assessment involved 16 items and a diagram of the back. Kappa coefficients ranged from 0.81-1.00 for each item. Absolute agreement across all items ranged from 91% to 100%.

CONCLUSION

TASQ-IBD is a newly developed, sensible, and reliable case-finding questionnaire to be administered to patients with IBD who have ever had chronic back pain or stiffness persisting for ≥ 3 months. It should facilitate identification and timely referral of patients with IBD to rheumatologists and minimize the delay in diagnosis of axSpA. Consequently, it should assess the prevalence of axSpA in IBD.

Association of biomarkers of inflammation, cartilage and bone turnover with gender, disease activity, radiological damage and sacroiliitis by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with early spondyloarthritis

To assess the association between biomarkers of inflammation, cartilage and bone turnover with gender, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and bone marrow oedema in resonance magnetic imaging (MRI) of sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and radiological damage in early spondyloarthritis (SpA). Cross-sectional study of 60 patients (56.7 % females; mean age, 32.4 years) with early SpA. Sociodemographic data, clinical features, serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), C-terminal cross-linking telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX-I) and urinary deoxypyridinoline, ASDAS, BASDAI, BASFI, BASRI and MRI of the SIJs were collected. The mean (SD) disease duration was 12.4 (6.8 months). Twenty-two (68.7 %) of the 32 patients had active sacroiliitis by MRI. MMP-3 and CTX I correlated with swollen joint (r = 0.515, r = 0.386, p = 0.01). hsCRP correlated with ESR (r = 0.303, p = 0.05), with CRP (r = 0.455, p = 0.01) and with total BASRI (r = 0.95, p = 0.05). Biomarkers were unrelated with the rest of variables. Levels of MMP-3 (44.3 ± 52.4 vs 24.7 ± 33.4, p < 0.05) and CTX-I (0.53 ± 0.45 vs 0.24 ± 0.38; p < 0.05) were higher in men. Our study shows that CTX-I and MMP-3 are a marker of peripheral disease activity in early SpA. Male gender had higher levels of CTX-I and MMP-3, which may indicate higher disease activity. Higher hsCRP levels trended towards correlation with more baseline radiographic damage. Therefore, these biomarkers may help identify a subgroup of patients who will need closer monitoring and more intensive treatment.

Genetics of ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. It causes significant disability and is associated with a number of other features including peripheral arthritis, anterior uveitis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Significant progress has been made in the genetics of AS have in the last five years, leading to new treatments in trial, and major leaps in understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of the disease.

Treatment recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis

Clinical practice guidelines aid clinicians in providing optimal care for their patients. Over the past decade, treatment guidelines have been published for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but there are no evidence-based recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis. In 2003, Canadian rheumatologists published treatment recommendations for AS, which have been subsequently updated. More recently, in 2011, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society and the European League Against Rheumatism published recommendations for the management of AS. SPondyloArthritis Research and Treatment Network proposes an American College of Rheumatology-led effort to develop treatment recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis: phenotypic variance and nosology

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been recognized as a distinct entity different from rheumatoid arthritis. Classification and phenotyping of PsA have progressed substantially since the first classification criteria of the disease were published in 1973 by Moll and Wright. The initial disease patterns described by Moll and Wright have been found to overlap and change over time. There has been controversy about whether these should be maintained or whether the phenotype of PsA should include peripheral and axial disease only. PsA is a multifaceted disease that can present as different clinical phenotypes: peripheral arthritis, axial disease, skin and nail disease, dactylitis, and enthesitis. Development of the high-sensitivity and high-specificity CASPAR criteria was the first step to conducting high-quality trials and observational studies in the field.

Diagnostic imaging of sacroiliac joints and the spine in the course of spondyloarthropathies

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. Radiological diagnosis of inflammatory changes of sacroiliac joints is based on a 4 step radiographic grading method from 1966. According to modified New York criteria, the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is made based on the presence of advanced lesions, sacroiliitis of at least 2 grade bilaterally or 3-4 unilaterally. In case of other types of spondyloarthropathies diagnosis is made based on presence of at least grade 1 changes. In MRI, active inflammation of sacroiliac joints is indicated by the presence of subchondral bone marrow edema, synovitis, bursitis, or enthesitis. ASAS discusses only the classic form of axial spondyloarthropathies, which is ankylosing spondylitis. To quantify radiological inflammatory changes in the course of the disease, Stoke Ankylosing spondylitis classification Spinal Score (SASSS) is recommended. The signs of inflammation and scarrying of the spinal cord in the course of ankylosing spondylitis, present in MRI include: bone marrow edema, sclerosis, fat metaplasia, formation of syndesmophytes, and ankylosis.

A registry of ankylosing spondylitis registries and prospects for global interfacing

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the optimal criteria and conditions for establishing a clinical registry, as well as detailing their application in a number of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Registries already in existence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent genetic studies and studies of long-term treatment efficacy and side-effects have underscored the need for large numbers of patients, much larger than would be possible from a single center or consortium. An optimal Registry should have its aims established upfront, with appropriate governance and oversight, and inclusion and exclusion criteria for participating collaborators and subject defined. Collaborators contributing subjects to a Registry should use validated instruments for which they have been previously trained. The numerous cross-sectional and longitudinal Registries on AS and axSpA have been recently established that differ widely depending on the referral and selection issues.

SUMMARY

The challenge of large-scale examinations of genetics, comorbidities, medication usage, and side-effects in spondyloarthritis underscores the need for combining data from well characterized registries of AS patients which require careful planning. There are currently many such registries available internationally, offering promise for collaborations and data pooling that can answer some of the pressing questions facing rheumatology clinicians and researchers.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compared to Conventional Radiographs for Detection of Chronic Structural Changes in Sacroiliac Joints in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Objective.

We investigated the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to conventional radiographs for detection of chronic structural changes in the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods.

We included 112 patients with definite axial SpA (68 with ankylosing spondylitis and 44 with nonradiographic axial SpA), for whom radiographs and MRI scans of the SIJ performed at the same time were available. Radiographs and MRI of the SIJ were scored for subchondral sclerosis (score 0–2), erosions (score 0–3), and joint space changes (score 0–5) in each SIJ. Readers provided an overall impression of the extent of damage according to the scoring system of the modified New York criteria.

Results.

In total, 224 SIJ from 112 patients were available for analysis. There was rather low agreement between MRI and radiographs concerning definite erosions of SIJ (κ = 0.11), moderate agreement for definite subchondral sclerosis (κ = 0.46) and definite joint space abnormalities (κ = 0.41), and almost perfect agreement for joint ankylosis (κ = 0.85). MRI demonstrated a good overall performance in detection of definite “chronic” sacroiliitis, with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 61%. For sacroiliitis fulfilling the modified New York criteria, MRI had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 64% using radiographs as the reference method.

Conclusion.

MRI demonstrated good overall performance for detection of chronic structural changes in the SIJ as compared to radiographs.

Prevalence of self-reported spondyloarthritis features in a cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal symptoms belonging to the spectrum of 'seronegative spondyloarthritis' (SpA) are the most common extraintestinal manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may lead to important disease burden. Patients with suspected SpA should be referred to a rheumatologist for further evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal SpA features in a cohort of patients with IBD and to compare this with actual referrals to a rheumatologist.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with IBD visiting the outpatient clinic were interviewed by a trained research nurse about possible SpA features using a standardized questionnaire regarding the presence or history of inflammatory back pain, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, psoriasis, uveitis and response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. All patient files were verified for previous visits to a rheumatologist and any rheumatic diagnosis.

RESULTS

At least one musculoskeletal SpA feature was reported by 129 of 350 (36.9%) patients. No significant differences between patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis were found. Review of medical records showed that 66 (51.2%) patients had ever visited a rheumatologist. Axial SpA was diagnosed in 18 (27.3%) patients, peripheral SpA in 20 (30.3%) patients and another rheumatic disorder in 14 (21.2%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Musculoskeletal SpA features are frequently present in patients with IBD. However, a substantial group of patients is not evaluated by a rheumatologist. Gastroenterologists play a key role in early referral of this often debilitating disease.

Undifferentiated spondyloarthritis in a heterogeneous Brazilian population: an eight-year follow-up study

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. Twenty-three (58%) were female, and there were 24 (60%) African Brazilians enrolled. HLA-B27 was positive in 18 (45%) patients. At disease onset, the first presenting symptoms were pure peripheral manifestations in 26 (72.2%) patients. After the study period, mixed disease (axial + peripheral) predominated occurring in 25 (69.4%) patients. The Assessment of SpA International society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial SpA were fulfilled by 77% of patients, and the ASAS criteria for peripheral SpA were fulfilled by 59% of patients. After 2.5 years, 6 (16.7%) of the 36 patients fulfilled the modified New York Criteria for ankylosing spondylitis and 1 (2.7%) progressed to psoriatic arthritis. A total of 10 (27.8%) patients progressed to definite SpA during the eight-year study period. Buttock pain (p = 0.006, OR 10.55; 95% CI 2.00-65.90) and low-grade radiographic sacroiliitis (p = 0.025, OR = 11.50; 95% CI 1.33-83.39) at baseline were associated with definite SpA. Thus, in this Brazilian cohort, which had a predominance of female African-Brazilian patients, prevalent peripheral onset symptoms were followed by a high frequency of axial manifestations during the follow-up period. Evidence of clinical or radiological sacroiliitis was associated with progression to definite SpA.

Factors associated with radiographic lesions in early axial spondyloarthritis. Results from the DESIR cohort

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether factors such as inflammation by laboratory tests and MRI differ between early axial SpA with and without radiographic lesions.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from Devenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifferenciées Récentes (DESIR) cohort patients having recent-onset inflammatory back pain and meeting Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria. The baseline evaluation included radiographs and MRI of the SI joints (SIJs) and spine. Patients were classified as having radiographic lesions if they had at least one obvious sacroiliitis, grade 2 for at least one vertebral corner or grade 1 for at least two vertebral corners (at the cervical or lumbar level, according to the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score). Associations between baseline characteristics and the presence of radiographic lesions were evaluated by estimating multi-adjusted odd ratios (aORs) and their 95% CIs using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Of 475 patients, 180 (37.9%) had radiographic lesions. Factors positively associated with radiographic lesions were alcohol use (aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.31, 4.44; P = 0.005), CRP level (aOR 1.44; 95% CI 1.13, 1.84; P = 0.003) and SIJ inflammation by MRI (aOR 2.25; 95% CI 1.40, 3.60; P = 0.001); negative associations occurred with good NSAID responsiveness (aOR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24, 0.81; P = 0.008); spinal MRI inflammation was associated with radiographic lesions only in smokers (aOR 1.99; 95% CI 1.01, 3.92; P = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

Alcohol use, poor responsiveness to NSAIDs, CRP elevation, SIJ MRI inflammation and spinal MRI inflammation in smokers were independently associated with radiographic lesions in early axial SpA.

Active inflammation and structural change in early active axial spondyloarthritis as detected by whole-body MRI

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate active inflammatory lesions (AIL) and structural changes (SC) in patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) compared with patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on whole-body MRI (wb-MRI).

METHOD

75 patients with active disease and a symptom duration of <5 years (39 with AS and 36 with nr-axSpA) were investigated with a comprehensive wb-MRI protocol and scored for AIL and SC in the spine, sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and non-axial manifestations.

RESULTS

92% of patients with AS showed active inflammation in the SIJ, 53% in the spine and 94% and 39%, respectively, in the nr-axSpA group. There was a non-significant trend towards more inflammation in patients with AS compared with patients with nr-axSpA in SIJs and spine. Peripheral enthesitis/osteitis was more common in patients with AS (n=22) than in those with nr-axSpA (n=12) (p=0.05). SC were more common in patients with AS than in those with nr-axSpA, with significantly higher scores for SIJ fatty bone marrow deposition (FMD) in patients with AS (4.8±3.2) compared with those with nr-axSpA (2.4±2.7; p=0.001) and more frequent bone proliferation in the spine and the SIJ (p=0.02 and p=0.005, respectively). SIJ erosions were more common in AS (score 4.2±2.3) than in nr-axSpA (score 3.8±1.8) patients (not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Wb-MRI detects active inflammation and SC more frequently in the SIJs than in the spine. Half of the patients showed inflammation in non-axial sites. Active inflammatory and structural lesions were present both in patients with AS and those with nr-axSpA, being only slightly more common in patients with AS.

Does the site of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities match the site of recent-onset inflammatory back pain? The DESIR cohort

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether the site of axial pain (thoracic spine, lumbar spine or buttock(s)) was associated with the site of MRI lesions in patients with recent inflammatory back pain (IBP) suggesting spondyloarthritis.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of baseline data in 708 patients with recent IBP from the DESIR cohort. Radiographs of the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and MRI scans of the SIJs and thoracic and lumbar spine were obtained routinely. Associations between pain sites and sites of inflammatory and structural MRI changes were evaluated using separate multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Of the 648 patients with complete data, 61% had thoracic pain, 91.6% lumbar pain and 79.2% buttock pain. MRI inflammation was seen in 19%, 21% and 46% of patients at the thoracic, lumbar and SIJ sites, respectively. By multivariate analysis, pain was significantly associated with MRI inflammation only at the same site (adjusted OR (aOR)thoracic pain 1.71; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.67; p=0.02; aORlumbar pain 2.53; 95% CI 1.03 to 6.20; p=0.04; aORbuttock pain 2.86; 95% CI 1.84 to 4.46; p<0.0001). Pain site was not significantly associated with the site of structural MRI changes, except for buttock pain and SIJ structural MRI changes (aORbuttock pain 1.89; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.90; p=0.004). The association between pain site and site of MRI inflammation persisted in the subgroups with normal or doubtful SIJ radiographs or with Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria for axial spondyloarthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

The site of pain (thoracic spine, lumbar spine or buttock(s)) is associated with MRI inflammation at the same site in patients with recent IBP.

Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: results of a randomised placebo-controlled trial (ABILITY-1)

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).

METHODS

Patients fulfilled Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria for axial spondyloarthritis, had a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score of ≥ 4, total back pain score of ≥ 4 (10 cm visual analogue scale) and inadequate response, intolerance or contraindication to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); patients fulfilling modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis were excluded. Patients were randomised to adalimumab (N=91) or placebo (N=94). The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving ASAS40 at week 12. Efficacy assessments included BASDAI and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). MRI was performed at baseline and week 12 and scored using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) index.

RESULTS

Significantly more patients in the adalimumab group achieved ASAS40 at week 12 compared with patients in the placebo group (36% vs 15%, p<0.001). Significant clinical improvements based on other ASAS responses, ASDAS and BASDAI were also detected at week 12 with adalimumab treatment, as were improvements in quality of life measures. Inflammation in the spine and sacroiliac joints on MRI significantly decreased after 12 weeks of adalimumab treatment. Shorter disease duration, younger age, elevated baseline C-reactive protein or higher SPARCC MRI sacroiliac joint scores were associated with better week 12 responses to adalimumab. The safety profile was consistent with what is known for adalimumab in ankylosing spondylitis and other diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with nr-axSpA, adalimumab treatment resulted in effective control of disease activity, decreased inflammation and improved quality of life compared with placebo. Results from ABILITY-1 suggest that adalimumab has a positive benefit-risk profile in active nr-axSpA patients with inadequate response to NSAIDs.

Similar response rates in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis after 1 year of treatment with etanercept: results from the ESTHER trial

OBJECTIVE

We assessed whether there is a difference to etanercept (ETA) treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared with non-radiographic axial SpA (nr-axSpA) patients with a disease duration <5 years.

METHOD

AS (n=20) and nr-axSpA (n=20) patients who were treated with ETA for 1 year were compared for differences in baseline data and treatment effect. Clinical, laboratory and MRI of sacroiliac joints (SI-joints) and spine were analysed.

RESULTS

At baseline, there were no significant differences between the 20 AS and the 20 nr-axSpA patients regarding age, disease duration, gender, HLA-B27 and clinical disease activity in terms of Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), C-reactive protein and MRI SI-joint and spine scores in the AS compared with the nr-axSpA group. After 1 year of treatment with ETA the treatment effect was similarly good in AS and nr-axSpA (reduction of BASDAI by 3.3 (95% CI 2.2 to 3.8) vs 3.6 (95% CI 2.8 to 4.4) and reduction of AS Disease Activity Score by 1.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.2) vs 1.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The response rate to TNF-blockers does not differ between AS and nr-axSpA if the baseline data regarding symptom duration and disease activity are similar for the two groups.

The epidemiology of back pain, axial spondyloarthritis and HLA-B27 in the United States

The concept of inflammatory back pain (IBP) evolved in the 1970s, coincident with the discovery of the HLA-B27 association with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), leading to the development of criteria to determine the presence of IBP. The concept of IBP and it relationship with AS and axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) has further evolved, and an instrument developed (the Spondylitis Association of America Back Pain Tool), which was further modified and field tested for use in the 2009 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This has shown the frequency of chronic back pain to have risen to 19.4%, with nearly one third having IBP. The prevalence of AxSpA has been defined at 1.0% to 1.4% and AS at 0.52% to 0.55%. The national prevalence of HLA-B27 in the United States is 6.1%, and intriguing data from NHANES 2009 suggest a decreasing frequency with increasing age. From this arise new questions and a work agenda ahead.

Incidence of Spondyloarthropathy in patients with ulcerative colitis: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an important extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed the cumulative incidence and clinical spectrum of SpA in a population-based cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

The medical records of a population-based cohort of residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA, diagnosed with UC from 1970 through 2004 were reviewed. Patients were followed longitudinally until moving from Olmsted County, death, or June 30, 2011. We used the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group, Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria, and modified New York criteria to identify patients with SpA.

RESULTS

The cohort included 365 patients with UC, of whom 41.9% were women. The median age at diagnosis of UC was 38.6 years (range 1.2-91.4). Forty patients developed SpA based on the ASAS criteria. The cumulative incidence of a diagnosis of SpA after an established diagnosis of UC was 4.8% at 10 years (95% CI 95% CI 2.2%-7.3%), 13.7% at 20 years (95% CI 9.0%-18.1%), and 22.1% at 30 years (95% CI 4.3%-29.1%).

CONCLUSION

The cumulative incidence of all forms of SpA increased to about 22% by 30 years from UC diagnosis. This value is slightly greater than what we previously described in a population-based cohort of Crohn disease diagnosed in Olmsted County over the same time period. SpA and its features are associated with UC, and heightened awareness on the part of clinicians is needed for diagnosing and managing them.

Short term in-patient rehabilitation in axial spondyloarthritis - the results of a 2-week program performed in daily clinical practice

Background

From a health service perspective, society, with its limited resources, needs to be reassured that evidence-based medicine is also effective when carried out in the frame of ordinary clinical practice. The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been proven to be effective in clinical trials. However, less is known when this is carried out in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 2-weeks rehabilitation program on self-reported outcome and physical function in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) including AS patients carried out in ordinary clinical practice. The program contained of daily water exercises, exercises for flexibility, muscle strength, and cardio-respiratory fitness.

Results

A total of 87 ax-SpA patients (60 men, 27 women), aged ≥ 18 years were identified to have participated in the 2-weeks in-patient rehabilitation program. Mean age was 49 years and disease duration was 14 years. 92.5% were HLA-B27 positive, 62% were current users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and 17% were current users of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors. After 2-weeks, a statistical significant improvement (p < 0.001) was observed for patient-reported outcomes (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis (BAS) Disease Activity Index 4.3 vs. 3.1, BAS Functional Index 3.1 vs. 2.4) and physical measured outcomes (BAS Metrology Index 3.23 vs. 2.29, Gait Velocity 2.2 vs. 2.6 m/s, timed-stands test 22.5 vs. 16.3 s, finger-floor distance 17.9 vs. 8.9 cm, chest expansion 3.9 vs. 4.6 cm).

Conclusion

Data, from our retrospective case series report, support that patient with ax-SpA benefit from short-term rehabilitation when it is carried out in ordinary clinical care. Data from ordinary clinical care may be important when discussing the effectiveness of a treatment and allocating resources in the health care system.

Percentage of patients with spondyloarthritis in patients referred because of chronic back pain and performance of classification criteria: experience from the Spondyloarthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohort

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study are to describe the Spondyloarthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohort, present the performance of various SpA classification criteria and compare patients fulfilling the imaging arm with patients fulfilling the clinical arm of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) axSpA criteria on demographics, presence of SpA features and level of disease activity.

METHODS

Patients with back pain (≥3 months but ≤2 years, onset <45 years) visiting the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Leiden University Medical Center were included in the SPACE cohort. Patients were classified according to the modified New York (mNY), ESSG, Amor and ASAS axSpA criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of criteria were tested against a rheumatologist's diagnosis.

RESULTS

In total, 157 patients were included; 92 patients fulfilled any criteria, 11 fulfilled the mNY (sensitivity 16.9%, specificity 100%), 68 the ESSG (sensitivity 64.6%, specificity 71.7%), 48 the Amor (sensitivity 47.7%, specificity 81.5%) and 60 the ASAS axSpA criteria (sensitivity 84.6%, specificity 94.6%). Of those 60 patients, 30 fulfilled the imaging arm and 30 the clinical arm. Patients in the imaging arm are statistically significantly more often male, have a longer symptom duration and less often a positive family history for SpA than patients fulfilling the clinical arm. Patients in both arms are very similar regarding all other SpA features and level of disease activity.

CONCLUSION

The inclusion criteria of the SPACE cohort yield the same high numbers of SpA patients compared with referral strategies like inflammatory back pain, HLA-B27+ or sacroiliitis, yet are easier to apply. The ASAS axSpA criteria outperformed the other criteria; 38.2% fulfilled the ASAS axSpA criteria. Patients fulfilling the clinical arm of the ASAS axSpA reflect a group of patients similar to those fulfilling the imaging arm.

Spondyloarthropathies

Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of common inflammatory rheumatic disorders characterised by axial and or peripheral arthritis, associated with enthesitis, dactylitis and potential extra-articular manifestations such as uveitis and skin rash. The diseases, which comprise the group, share a common genetic predisposition, the HLA-B27 gene; however, this association varies markedly among the various SpAs and among different ethnic groups. Environmental factors seem to be triggering the diseases in the genetically predisposed individuals. The radiographic hallmark of the group is sacroiliitis, which when present is of help in the diagnosis. Various sets of diagnostic and classification criteria were developed over the years including the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria which were until recently the most widely used. The new Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) international working group has recently proposed a new set of diagnostic criteria that would enable identification of SpA before structural changes develop in the spine. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes have now been included in the new classification criteria of early axial SpA and are now considered as a major tool in the diagnosis. Until recently, there were no real disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs which were able to halt the disease progression. Over the past decade, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alfa-blocking agents have been extensively investigated and became the mainstream of therapy providing the patients an effective treatment option.

Inflammatory back pain: the United States perspective

Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is a relatively recent and well-accepted concept whose precise definition remains elusive. The definition of IBP varies by criteria set, as does its sensitivity and specificity regarding screening and case ascertainment in various clinical or epidemiologic settings. This article reviews the history of efforts to define IBP, particularly the criteria sets that have been built around its measurement, describes assessment of IBP in the clinical setting, and illustrates how IBP has been used in epidemiologic and clinical research.