European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group Research Articles

Differences between radiographic and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients in a Mexican cohort

To compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics, disease onset, and clinical features of radiographic axial Spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) and non-radiographic axial Spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) patients. All patients who attended outpatient spondylarthritis (SpA) clinics at Hospital General de Mexico and the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición from 1998 to 2005 and met the rheumatologist diagnostic criteria for SpA were selected. Then the SpA patients were classified by European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group criteria (ESSG). We selected SpA patients with axial presentation as axial SpA (axSpA), and they were classified as r-axSpA if they met modified New York (mNY) criteria for sacroiliitis and as nr-axSpA if they did not meet mNY criteria; to compared clinical, demographic, and laboratory test between the subgroups. It included 148 SpA patients; 55 (37.2%) patients had r-axSpA, and 70 (47.3%) had nr-axSpA. The nr-axSpA patients had a lower proportion of males (58.6% vs 78.2%, P < 0.05), lower HLA-B27 frequency (54.3%. vs. 92.7%, P < 0.05), were older at disease onset (21 vs 16 years; P < 0.01) and had a higher frequency of infections at disease onset (9.1% vs 32.9, P < 0.05) than r-axSpA. BASFI (2.9 vs 4.8; P < 0.0001), Dougados functional index (7 vs. 14; P < 0.05), and BASDAI (4.1 vs. 5.2; P < 0.001) were lower in patients with nr-axSpA than r-axSpA, respectively. The factors that most influenced the presentation of r-axSpA were history of uveitis (OR 14, 95% CI 2.3–85), HLA-B27 (OR 7.97, 95% CI, 2.96–122), male sex (OR 6.16, 95% CI, 1.47–25.7), axial enthesopathy count (OR 1.17 95% CI, 1.03–1.33). This study provides insight into the differences between nr-axSpA and r-axSpA in Mexico. Patients with r-axSpA were mainly male, with a younger presentation age, a higher prevalence of HLA-B27, more history of uveitis, fewer episodes of dactylitis, more axial enthesopathy, and higher disease activity than nr-axSpA.

Exploring the unifying concept of Spondyloarthritis: a latent class analysis of the REGISPONSER registry.

The aim of our study is to identify the potential distinct phenotypes within a broad Spondyloarthritis (SpA) population. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the REGISPONSER registry with data from 31 specialist centres in Spain including patients with SpA who fulfilled the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to identify the latent classes underlying SpA according to a set of predefined clinical and radiographic features, independently of expert opinion. In a population of 2319 SpA patients, a 5 classes LCA model yielded the best fit. Classes named 'axial with spine involvement' and 'axial with isolated SIJ involvement" show a primarily axial SpA phenotype defined by inflammatory back pain and high HLA-B27 prevalence. Patients in class 'axial + peripheral' show similar distribution of manifest variables to previous classes but also have a higher likelihood of peripheral involvement (peripheral arthritis/dactylitis) and enthesitis, therefore representing a mixed (axial and peripheral) subtype. Classes 'Peripheral + psoriasis' and 'Axial + peripheral + psoriasis' are indicative of peripheral SpA (and/or PsA) with high likelihood of psoriasis, peripheral involvement, dactylitis, nail disease, and low HLA-B27 prevalence, while class 'Axial + peripheral + psoriasis' also exhibits increased probability of axial involvement both clinically and radiologically. The identification of 5 latent classes in the REGISPONSER registry with significant overlap between axial and peripheral phenotypes is concordant with a unifying concept of SpA. Psoriasis and related features (nail disease and dactylitis) influence the phenotype of both axial and peripheral manifestations.

Identification of the first signs or symptoms in different spondyloarthritis subtypes and their association with HLA-B27: data from REGISPONSER and RESPONDIA registries

ObjectiveTo describe and analyse the initial symptoms attributable to patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and their association with HLA-B27 status.MethodsThis was an observational, cross-sectional and multicentre study with patients who fulfilled...

Characterising the axial phenotype of psoriatic arthritis: a study comparing axial psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis with psoriasis from the REGISPONSER registry

AimsTo explore the clinical and radiographical characteristics of axial psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to compare it with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with psoriasis.MethodsCross-sectional study from the national multicentre registry REGISPONSER where...

Awareness and knowledge of the common features of inflammatory back pain among primary care physicians in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

Often, there is a delay in the diagnosis of inflammatory back pain (IBP) in the primary care setting. This may be attributed to the inability of healthcare providers to distinguish between inflammatory and mechanical back pain. This study aimed to evaluate primary care physicians' current practices for assessing patients with IBP using clinical, radiographic, and laboratory tests. A questionnaire-based survey was emailed to all primary care physicians in the western region of Saudi Arabia by the Saudi Commission of Health Specialists from February to May 2021. The questionnaire included data about axial spondyloarthropathy based on the Calin, Berlin, and European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group criteria. A total of 103 primary care physicians responded who represented around 24% of primary care physicians at primary healthcare. The most often perceived IBP symptoms include a response to NSAIDs, morning stiffness lasting >30 minutes, age of onset <45 years old, duration of back pain >3 months, and improvement with exercise. The most frequently questioned patient or family history conditions were peripheral arthritis (92.2%), family history of spondyloarthritis (83.5%), and inflammatory bowel disease (97.6%). The most-reported investigations were CRP/ESR (86.4%) and spinal radiography (66%). For treatment of IBP, NSAIDs were most prescribed (48.6%), followed by physiotherapy (45.6%) and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (41.7%). Primary care physicians were more confident in management of mechanical back pain than IBP (P < .001). Primary care physicians have good knowledge of IBP symptoms but not of disease-specific features and modest confidence in evaluating patients with IBP, indicating the need for educational programs and a more effective, feasible referral strategy.

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection at a rheumatology and medical rehabilitation center in Duhok City, Iraq

Background: Patients with rheumatoid diseases are at increased risk of infection due to a combination of inherent energy or immunomodulating drugs used for its treatment. The study aimed to screen for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among patients with rheumatologic diseases. Materials and Methods: In the present prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 149 patients diagnosed with different types of rheumatoid diseases were included. The rheumatic diseases were diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group preliminary criteria for the classification of spondyloarthropathy. The patients were screened by interferon-gamma release assay and tuberculin skin tests using purified protein derivative. Results: The mean age of the patients was 39.91. The most common types of diseases were ankylosing spondylitis (37.6%) and RA (34.9%). The prevalence rate of LTBI was 12.1% among rheumatic patients. The patients with positive LTBI had significantly longer therapy duration (4.51 vs. 2.81 years, P

Clinical presentation and subtypes of spondyloarthritis patients in North East India

Aim of the workTo describe the clinical profile and subtypes of spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients from a tertiary care center in North-Eastern India. Patients and methodThis cross-sectional study was conducted from a tertiary care hospital in Northeast India including 34 patients. Diagnosis of SpA was based on the European Spondyloarthropathy Study group (ESSG) criteria. Results34 cases were 26 (76.5%) males and 8 (23.5%) females. The male to female ratio was 3.2:1. The mean age of the patients was 45 ± 20.2 years. 21 (61.8%) belonged to the age group 21–40 years. The mean age at onset was 28.4 ± 11.4 years while the disease duration was 5.4 ± 5.1 years. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was the most common subtype (n = 19,56%), followed by reactive arthritis (ReA)(n = 5,15%) and undifferentiated (UdSpA)(n = 5,15%). Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)(n = 4,12%) and juvenile SpA (n = 1,3%) made up rest of the cases. The most common articular manifestations were peripheral arthritis (88.2%) followed by low back pain (73.5%) and enthesitis (50%). There was evidence of sacroiliitis in 20 (58.8%) patients of which 19 had AS and 17 (85%) were bilateral. The HLAB27 was done in 14 with AS and one with Juvenile SpA; 10(73.7%) were positive. ConclusionThe commonest SpA encountered was AS with a notable male preponderance among patients. Peripheral arthritis was a common clinical presentation in all subtypes of patients. As diagnosing SpA can be challenging, it is recommended that the physicians have a high index of suspicion. Early diagnosis and knowledge of the pattern of the disease might contribute to more favorable treatment outcomes.

A Case Report on Ankylosing Spondylitis in a Pakistani Patient

Background: Ankylosing Spondylitis is the most common type of seronegative spondyloarthropathy. It is characterized by inflammation of multiple articular and para-articular structures, which in turn often leads to osseous ankylosis. Objective: This case is relatively uncommon in Pakistani population especially in females, and to compare the clinical presentation of the condition in this Pakistani patient with what is known around the world using the Criteria widely recognized internationally. Materials and Methods: A case report of a 51-year-old Pakistani woman with a history of back pain and radiographic imagery showing the classical findings of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Results: The Patient is a known case of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and primary hypothyroidism, and has been suffering from chronic lower back pain and stiffness for more than 16 years now. Her symptoms are worst in the morning soon after waking up from sleep. She has restricted movements at hip joints and kyphosis on examination. She also has reduced chest expansion. Her X-rays shows typical bamboo spine appearance with syndesmophytes formation and squaring of vertebral bodies. Her presentation fits both European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group diagnostic criteria for spondyloarthropathies, and the modified New York Criteria. Conclusion: This patient shows typical clinical and radiological findings of the Ankylosing Spondylitis, and fulfills the requirement of the diagnostic criterion

OP0110 IS VERY EARLY TREATMENT EFFECTIVE? SIX MONTHS RESULTS OF THE PREVAS STUDY, A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL WITH ETANERCEPT IN PATIENTS SUSPECTED OF NON-RADIOGRAPHIC AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Background:Despite the new classification criteria for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) patients according to the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS), there are limited data on disease progression in nr-axSpA patients.Objectives:First to assess the improvement in disease activity in patients suspected of nr-axSpA after 16 weeks treatment with Etanercept (ETN) or Placebo (PBO). Second, to assess the changes of active inflammation on MRI of the SI-joints (SIJ) between the ETN and PBO group after 16 and 24 weeks without study medication.Methods:The PrevAS study is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial with ETN performed in the VU University medical center (VUmc) (EudraCT number 2009-015515-40), with a screening period from 2009 until 2014. Patients suspected of nr-axSpA were included if they had chronic back pain for ≥ 3 months, were ≥ 18 years, fulfilled the Calin criteria of inflammatory back pain and had to be either HLA-B27 positive with at least ≥ 1 Spondyloarthritis (SpA)-feature (as defined by the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), or HLA-B27 negative with at least ≥ 2 SpA-features and had a high disease activity score (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index ≥ 4) plus insufficient response to at least two NSAIDs. Excluded were patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis, or in case of previous biological use. Included patients were randomly assigned (1:1) for 16 weeks treatment with ETN (N=40) or PBO (N=40) and followed after the treatment period for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the number of patients achieving the ASAS20 response at week 16. MRI was performed at baseline, 16 and 24 weeks and scored using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) index for number of active inflammatory lesions.Results:The majority of included patients was female (63.8%). Patient characteristics, like the presence of the HLA-B27 antigen and number of SpA-features at baseline, were comparable between the ETN and PBO group. Mean compliance to the study medication at sixteen weeks was 72.1%. Longitudinal regression analysis over the first 16 weeks showed a trend towards a three times higher chance to achieve the ASAS20 response in the ETN compared to the PBO group (OR = 3.2, 95% CI [0.6;16.7]p=0.18) (Figure 1). No differences were observed in ASAS20 response at 24 weeks. A positive SPARCC score (SPARCC ≥ 2.5) of the SIJ was observed in the ETN and PBO group in 33.3% (13/39 patients) vs. 30.8% (12/39 patients) at baseline, 16.7% (6/36 patients) vs. 17.5% (7/40 patients) at 16 weeks and 21.9% (7/32 patients) vs. 20.0% (7/35 patients) at 24 weeks, respectively. Increased CRP-levels (CRP_UL ≥ 10.0mg/L) nor a positive SPARCC score at baseline, had significant influence on the ASAS20 response at 16 weeks follow-up. The safety profile was consistent with what is known for ETN in AS.Conclusion:Patients suspected of nr-axSpA with high disease activity showed a trend towards a three times higher chance to achieve the ASAS20 response in the ETN group, compared to the PBO group at 16 weeks, regardless of a raised CRP level or positive MRI-SIJ at baseline.Figure:Acknowledgments:We thank Pfizer for financial support of this investigator initiated study. In addition we want to thank H. Hofman and W.A. ter Wee for practical study support.Disclosure of Interests:Tamara Rusman: None declared, Mignon A.C. van der Weijden: None declared, Michael T Nurmohamed Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, GlaxoSmithKline, Jansen, Eli Lilly, Menarini, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme, Mundipharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, USB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, GlaxoSmithKline, Jansen, Eli Lilly, Menarini, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme, Mundipharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, USB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, GlaxoSmithKline, Jansen, Eli Lilly, Menarini, Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme, Mundipharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, USB, Robert B.M. Landewé Consultant of: AbbVie; AstraZeneca; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly &amp; Co.; Galapagos NV; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB Pharma, Janneke J. de Winter: None declared, B.J.H. Boden: None declared, Pierre M. Bet: None declared, Camile M.A. van der Bijl: None declared, Conny J. van der Laken: None declared, Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MSD, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MSD, Pfizer, UCB Pharma

Prevalence of Spondyloarthritis Among Patients Who Underwent Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery.

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of spondyloarthritis (SpA) among patients who had been surgically treated for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), according to the modified New York (mNY) criteria for the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and Amor, the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria for SpA. The study included 321 patients (142 males, 179 females; mean age 49±10.8 years; range, 18 to 79 years) who underwent LDH surgery between April 2008 and May 2012 in the neurosurgery clinic of our hospital. Patients were contacted by phone on at least two attempts. Totally, 123 patients accepted to come to the outpatient clinic, while the remaining 198 agreed to be interviewed on the phone. Patients who agreed to come to the outpatient rheumatology clinic underwent clinical examination, and pelvic X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the sacroiliac joints when indicated. Inflammatory back pain was diagnosed in 108 patients (34%) and 40 patients (13%) according to Calin criteria and the ASAS criteria, respectively. Prevalence of SpA among all patients was estimated as 17.7% according to the ESSG criteria, and 8.7% according to Amor criteria. Five of the 308 pelvic radiographs had definite radiographic sacroiliitis as required by the mNY criteria. Four patients had a characteristic pattern of bone marrow edema on MRI examination in accordance with the ASAS definitions. The overall prevalence of sacroiliitis (MRI sacroiliitis+X-ray sacroiliitis) among the patients who came to the clinic was 7.3% ([4+5]/123). The relatively increased prevalence of SpA among patients who underwent LDH surgery indicates the necessity of increasing awareness on the new concept of axial SpA for specialists treating patients with low back pain.

A study of clinical profile in female spondyloarthropathy

Objective: To assess the clinical features of SpA including BATH indices and to compare clinical data of male and female spondyloarthropathy patients. Methods: The study included male and female patients (60 each) fulfilling the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) or assessment of ankylosing spondylitis (ASAS) criteria for SpA and the CASPER criteria for PsA or the modified New York criteria for AS. The subjects completed initial clinical evaluation and radiological and laboratory assessment. Results: The mean age of presentation was found to be higher in females (34.6± 9.6 years). Backache was the most common features identified in both the groups. Peripheral arthritis was present in 51.7% of total patients (56.7% males and 46.7% females). Asymmetrical lower limb arthritis was found to be more predominant; however, 10% of the patients reported involvement of wrist. Psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, and uveitis were noted in 13 (7 males and 6 females), three (1 male and 2 females) and 14 patients (9 males and 5 females) respectively. Dorsal and neck pain were frequently prevalent among the patients.

Diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound detection of enthesitis in peripheral spondyloarthritis

Objective: We investigated the diagnostic efficacy of power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) to detect enthesitis in Japanese patients with peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA).Methods: This was a single-center cohort study of patients with peripheral symptoms suggestive of SpA. Articular synovia, tendons, and entheses were assessed by PDUS at baseline. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings and classification criteria for SpA were also evaluated.Results: 136 patients were consecutively evaluated. A definite diagnosis was obtained in 111 patients, including 72 with SpA and 39 non-SpA. Among the patients with SpA, PDUS demonstrated articular synovitis in 40 of the 72 patients (56%), tenosynovitis or peritendinitis in 48 (67%), and enthesitis in 63 (88%). Considering PDUS alone, enthesitis in at least one site was the most useful means of differentiating SpA from non-SpA (sensitivity 87.5%; specificity 82.1%; accuracy 85.6%; positive likelihood ratio 4.88). Combining that finding along with fulfillment of Amor, European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group, or Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria for peripheral SpA increased the specificity of the diagnosis (92.5%, 92.3%, and 97.4%, respectively).Conclusion: PDUS enthesitis is useful for the diagnosis of SpA with peripheral symptoms. Combining PDUS enthesitis with established SpA classification criteria is beneficial in diagnosing peripheral SpA.

Can power Doppler ultrasound of the entheses help in classifying recent axial spondyloarthritis? Data from the DESIR cohort

Early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains a challenge due to the lack of specificity of clinical symptoms and variable prevalence of axial imaging findings permitting a definite diagnosis. Power...

Advances in the treatment of uveitis in patients with spondyloarthritis - is it the time for biologic therapy?

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a heterogeneous group of diseases that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis (ReA), inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis (IBD-SpA), and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (unSpA). This group of diseases shares several clinical, imaging, and genetic features; the integration of these diseases in the group of SpA is needed for an early diagnosis and a prompt treatment. Uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation of SpA. HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is the most frequent form of uveitis encountered in the SpA group. The general prevalence of HLA-B27-associated AAU in the group of SpA is about 30% and the general prevalence of SpA in patients with HLA-B27-associated AAU is over 50%. There are several differences in the clinical picture and evolution of HLA-B27-associated AAU in patients with SpA and knowing this is very important for the best therapeutic decision. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is a very important mediator not only in the pathogenic mechanisms of SpA, but also in the immune reactions that characterize HLA-B27-associated AAU in SpA. There is much evidence of the role of TNFα in SpA and HLA-B27-associated AAU, multiple studies showing efficacy of anti-TNFα drugs not only on rheumatic manifestations but also on ocular involvement. Conventional therapy of HLA-B27-associated AAU with local or systemic glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs (sulfasalazine, methotrexate, azathioprine, etc.) in order to diminish the ocular inflammation is associated with many side effects, some of them being very severe and even life threatening. Therefore, new treatments, especially biologic therapy with anti-TNFα drugs, open a new opportunity for the treatment of these patients. It is very important to emphasize that antibody anti-TNFα agents (infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab) may be more efficient than soluble receptors of TNFα (etanercept) in decreasing the risk of HLA-B27-associated AAU in patients with SpA. The aim of this review made by a group of ophthalmologists and rheumatologists with recent and fruitful experience regarding the anti-TNF treatment of uveitis in patients with SpA is to make the community of ophthalmologists aware of this biologic therapy and that it is the right time to use it. Abbreviations: AU = anterior uveitis; AAU = acute anterior uveitis; AS = ankylosing spondylitis; ASAS = Assessment of SpondyloArthritis Society; DBP = vitamin D binding protein; ESSG = European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group; HLA-B27 = human leukocyte antigen B27; IBD = inflammatory bowel disease; PsA = psoriatic arthritis; ReA = reactive arthritis; SpA = spondyloarthritis; TLRs = Toll-like receptors; TNFα = tumor necrosis factor α; unSpA = undifferentiated spondyloarthritis.

Clinical patterns of seronegative spondyloarthropathies in a tertiary centre in Pakistan.

ObjectivesThe patterns of spondyloarthropathies (SpA) differ across regions globally, and an understanding of these patterns is important for the correct diagnosis of this condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presenting symptoms and clinical patterns of SpA in a community of low socioeconomic status in Pakistan.MethodsThis clinical observational study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital from July 2016 to June 2017. Five thousand patients were initially recruited in the rheumatology clinic. A total of 114 patients were finally selected and enrolled in this study, as defined by the inclusion criteria. All demographic variables were recorded and baseline clinical investigations were performed. The European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) diagnostic criteria were used to diagnose the condition and classify the study participants.ResultsOf the 114 patients, 64% (73 patients) were men and 36% (41 patients) were women. The mean age of the patients ranged 25–65 years. The men were affected twice as much as women with a ratio of 2:1.4. Men in the age group of 30–60 years constituted a large proportion of the study population. The most frequently diagnosed subtypes were ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. The most common presenting symptoms were sacroiliitis, inflammatory spinal pain, and synovitis.ConclusionMales had a higher prevalence of SpA. Ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and reactive arthritis were the most commonly diagnosed subtypes.

Performance and agreement between classification criteria and rheumatologist's diagnosis of the most widely used SpA classification criteria in a Colombian group of patients with chronic low back pain

Abstract Objective To evaluate the performance of the most widely used SpA classification criteria in a Colombian group of patients with chronic low back pain. Methods We assessed the ASAS and the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) classification criteria in a group of 133 patients who attended consecutively over a period of six months at outpatient clinic of low back pain. All the patients were evaluated with the same protocol. The patients were divided into two groups according to the diagnosis. The diagnosis was compared with the diagnosis made by a expert rheumatologist blinded to patient information. Results 81 patients with SpA and 52 with other diagnoses were included. There were no differences in age and age of onset of symptoms between the two groups. The SpA group included 55 males and more common clinical findings were: enthesitis, arthritis, sacroiliitis, HLA-B27-positive, previous infection, and dactylitis. The sensitivity and specificity of criteria were: ASAS criteria 96% of sensibility and 80% of specificity, and ESSG criteria 95% and 100% respectively. The agreement between the classification criteria and the diagnosis established by the rheumatologist showed a Cohen's kappa index of 0.938 for ESSG criteria (95% CI: 0.877–0.998) and 0.790 for the ASAS criteria (95% CI: 0.682–0.898). Conclusion In a Colombian group of SpA patients, the new ASAS classification criteria have a good concordance with clinical diagnosis but are not superior to the ESSG criteria.

Performance and agreement between classification criteria and rheumatologist's diagnosis of the most widely used SpA classification criteria in a Colombian group of patients with chronic low back pain

ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of the most widely used SpA classification criteria in a Colombian group of patients with chronic low back pain. MethodsWe assessed the ASAS and the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) classification criteria in a group of 133 patients who attended consecutively over a period of six months at outpatient clinic of low back pain. All the patients were evaluated with the same protocol. The patients were divided into two groups according to the diagnosis. The diagnosis was compared with the diagnosis made by a expert rheumatologist blinded to patient information. Results81 patients with SpA and 52 with other diagnoses were included. There were no differences in age and age of onset of symptoms between the two groups. The SpA group included 55 males and more common clinical findings were: enthesitis, arthritis, sacroiliitis, HLA-B27-positive, previous infection, and dactylitis. The sensitivity and specificity of criteria were: ASAS criteria 96% of sensibility and 80% of specificity, and ESSG criteria 95% and 100% respectively.The agreement between the classification criteria and the diagnosis established by the rheumatologist showed a Cohen's kappa index of 0.938 for ESSG criteria (95% CI: 0.877–0.998) and 0.790 for the ASAS criteria (95% CI: 0.682–0.898). ConclusionIn a Colombian group of SpA patients, the new ASAS classification criteria have a good concordance with clinical diagnosis but are not superior to the ESSG criteria.

The performance of different classification criteria sets for spondyloarthritis in the worldwide ASAS-COMOSPA study

BackgroundIn this study, we sought to compare the performance of spondyloarthritis (SpA) classification criteria sets in an international SpA cohort with patients included from five continents around the world.MethodsData from the (ASAS) COMOrbidities in SPondyloArthritis (ASAS-COMOSPA) study were used. ASAS-COMOSPA is a multinational, cross-sectional study with consecutive patients diagnosed with SpA by rheumatologists worldwide. Patients were classified according to the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), modified European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (mESSG), Amor, modified Amor, Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA), ASAS peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) and ClASsification criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria. Overlap between the classification criteria sets was assessed for patients with and without back pain. Furthermore, patients fulfilling different arms of the ASAS axSpA criteria (imaging arm, clinical arm, both arms) were compared on the presence of SpA features.ResultsA total of 3942 patients (5 continents, 26 countries) were included. The mean age was 43.6 years, 65.0% were male, 56.2% were human leucocyte antigen B27-positive and 64.4% had radiographic sacroiliitis (based on modified New York criteria). Of the patients, 85.5% were classified by the ASAS SpA criteria (87.7% ASAS axSpA, 12.3% ASAS pSpA). Fulfilment of the Amor, ESSG and CASPAR criteria was present in 83.3%, 88.4% and 21.6% of patients, respectively. Of the patients with back pain (n = 3227), most were classified by all three of Amor, ESSG and ASAS axSpA criteria (71.4%). Patients fulfilling the imaging arm and the clinical arm of the ASAS axSpA criteria had similar presentations of SpA features. In patients without back pain, overlap between classification criteria sets was seen, although to a lesser extent.ConclusionsMost patients with a clinical diagnosis of axial SpA in the worldwide ASAS-COMOSPA study fulfil several classification criteria sets, and a substantial overlap between different criteria sets is seen, which suggests a high level of credibility of the criteria. Large inter-regional differences in the fulfilment of classification criteria were not found. Patients fulfilling the clinical arm were remarkably similar to patients fulfilling the imaging arm with respect to the presence of most SpA features.

The prevalence of spondyloarthropathy in fibromyalgia patients

Objective: To document the prevalence of Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) with an evaluation of patients previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).Methods: The patients diagnosed with FMS before telephoned and asked three questions to determine for inflammatory back pain. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Fibromyalgia criteria 1990 and ACR 2010 and for diagnosing patients with SpA; criteria from the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), and Amor were applied.Results: FMS was diagnosed according to 1990 ACR criteria in 14 (60.8%) SpA patients who were diagnosed with SpA according to the Amor criteria alone and in 10 (43.4%) patients who were diagnosed according to ESSG criteria alone, while it was diagnosed in 9 (33.3%) patients who were diagnosed with SpA according to Amor and ESSG criteria together and in 15 (65.2%) patients diagnosed with SpA according to Amor and/or ESSG criteria. The most tenderness was experienced in the bilateral shoulder supraspinatus tendon insertion region (57.7%) and in the sacroiliac joint (40.8%). Fourteen (60.8%) patients diagnosed according to ACR 1990 and 17 (51.6%) patients diagnosed according to ACR 2010 had plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles enthesopathy on foot radiography.Conclusions: There is a meaningful section of patients who are SpA or FMS and SpA are together in the patients thought to be FMS or the patients diagnosed with FMS according to ACR’s criteria can be said.

Impact of lumbar syndesmophyte on bone health as assessed by bone density (BMD) and bone texture (TBS) in men with axial spondyloarthritis

IntroductionPatients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) have an elevated incidence of osteoporosis and are at increased risk of pathological vertebral fracture. Evaluation of bone density by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has its limits in fracture prediction, already known in this population. One hypothesis is that the presence of lumbar syndesmophyte could overestimate the spine bone mineral density (BMD). Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a new texture measurement correlated with bone microarchitecture. Previous studies have shown that TBS is mildly impacted by osteoarthritis and thus could be a predictor of fracture better than spine BMD. We aimed to evaluate a male population of SpA with BMD and TBS measurement and see the impact of lumbar syndesmophytes. MethodTwo cohorts of SpA male patients (Lausanne, Sofia) with SpA disease, clinical and bone parameters (femoral neck and total spine BMD+spine TBS) were merged. We compared BMD and TBS results regarding to the presence/absence of syndesmophytes. ResultsOur study concerned 51 men [29 with lumbar syndesmophytes (L1 to L4,≥1), 22 without], fulfilling the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) and the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria. Mean age was 52.18 years old (no difference between the 2 groups) and mean body mass index (BMI) 27.47kg/m2 (29.12±0.67 with and 25.30±0.81 without, P=0.0006). For the overall population mean BMD T-score at the spine was −0.55±1.54, mean BMD T-score at the femoral neck −1.20±0.95 and mean lumbar spine TBS was 1.26±0.13. Regarding to the presence or the absence of syndesmophytes, mean spine BMD T-score was −0.07±1.63 and −1.18±1.16 (P=0.009 and 0.250 before and after adjustment for BMI), mean femoral neck BMD T-score was −1.37±0.93 and −0.97±0.94 (P=0.14 and 0.03 before and after adjustment for BMI) and mean TBS was 1.21±0.12 and 1.33±0.11 (P=0.001 and 0.06 before and after adjustment for BMI) respectively for SpA men with and without syndesmophytes. ConclusionOur results showed that SpA men with and without syndesmophytes have lower results compared to the normal population regarding hip BMD, spine TBS and spine BMD except for men with syndesmophytes who have a normal BMD spine T-score. These results suggest that TBS is not influenced by the syndesmophytes in opposite to spine BMD and could be measured in this population in addition to the neck BMD to assess the bone fragility.