Inflammatory Back Pain In Patients Research Articles

Prevalence and clinical signs of inflammatory back pain in patients with skin psoriasis and axial involvement

Prevalence and clinical signs of inflammatory back pain in patients with skin psoriasis and axial involvement

Algorithm for the referral of patients with inflammatory back pain from primary care in Malaysia.

Chronic low back pain, defined as back pain lasting for more than three months, can be divided into mechanical or inflammatory back pain (IBP). IBP typically starts in patients below the age of 40, is improved with activity and worsens with rest. IBP is strongly associated with axial spondyloarthritis. Early recognition of IBP among primary care physicians is essential for timely diagnosis and intervention to ensure the best outcomes for patients with axial spondyloarthritis. This paper describes the Malaysian Society of Rheumatology's recently developed Inflammatory Back Pain Referral Algorithm for primary care physicians, which aims to facilitate the early identification and referral of IBP patients to rheumatologists.

POS0910 EVALUATION OF THE NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG-SPARING EFFECT OF SECUKINUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: RESULTS OF THE MULTICENTER, RANDOMISED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PHASE IV ASTRUM-TRIAL

Background:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat inflammatory back pain in patients (pts) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, an increased risk of side effects associated with NSAIDs and their dosage has been reported1. Therefore, lower doses and a dose reduction is desirable.Objectives:To evaluate the short-term NSAID sparing effect of secukinumab (SEC) in AS pts with NSAID intake.Methods:In a prospective controlled trial, 211 adult pts with active AS (BASDAI ≥4) and an inadequate response (IR) to at least 2 NSAIDs at the highest recommended/tolerated dose and pts with an IR, or those who were naïve/intolerant to a maximum of 2 tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) were enrolled. NSAID intake was evaluated using the ASAS-NSAID score. To be eligible, pts had to take at least 50% of the highest recommended/tolerated NSAID dose regularly. Pts were randomised (1:1:1) to receive SEC 150 mg s.c. from Week (Wk) 0 (group [gp] 1), Wk 4 (gp 2) and Wk 16 (gp 3). All groups received SEC 150 mg from Wk 16. NSAID tapering was allowed in all groups from Wk 4 onwards. The primary endpoint (PE) was an ASAS20 response of pooled gp 1 and gp 2 vs. gp 3 at Wk 12.Results:There were 71 pts in gp 1, 70 in gp 2 and 70 in gp 3. Baseline (BL) characteristics were comparable across groups; mean age (SD) was 45.2 (12.3) years (yrs), time since diagnosis was 7.4 (9.8) yrs, 57.8% male, 79.0% HLA-B27 positive, 48.6% pts had an elevated CRP 40.8% were current/ever smoker and 72.0% were TNFi-naïve. The ASAS-NSAID (SD) scores at BL were: gp 1 vs. gp 2 vs. gp 3: 82.9 (37.7) vs. 79.9 (45.3) vs.82.3 (39.1). BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP scores were similar between groups: 6.0 (1.4) vs. 6.2 (1.5) vs. 6.2 (1.3), and 3.4 (0.7) vs. 3.3 (0.8) vs. 3.4 (0.7), respectively. The ASAS20 response at Wk 12 of pooled gp 1 and 2 vs. gp 3 was 51.1% vs. 44.3% but PE was not met (p=0.35). A higher proportion of pts in gp 1 and 2 achieved ASAS40 and BASDAI50 and other secondary outcomes at Wk 16 (Table 1). More pts in gp 1 and 2 reduced their NSAID intake from BL through Wk 16 vs. gp 3 (Table 1 and Figure 1).Conclusion:In this population of pts with AS, SEC provided clinical improvements in conventional clinical outcomes and a short-term NSAID sparing effect.

POS1043 NETAKIMAB REDUCES PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH OR WITHOUT AXIAL DISEASE: SUBANALYSIS OF THE PATERA STUDY

Background:PATERA is an ongoing phase 3 international double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of netakimab (NTK) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (NCT03598751). Netakimab (NTK) is an anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody approved for psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, PsA in Russia and Belarus.Objectives:A subanalysis was performed to define the impact of NTK on PsA activity depending on the presence of axial disease: a subset of patients with inflammatory back pain (IBP) according to self-reported ASAS IBP criteria, 2009 (IBP(+) was compared to those without IBP (IBP(-)).Methods:194 eligible adult patients with PsA fulfilling the CASPAR criteria, with inadequate response to csDMARD or one TNFi, were randomly assigned to receive NTK 120mg or placebo at weeks 0,1,2,4,6,8,10,14,18,22. Patients with missing values for categorical variables were considered as non-responders in the analysis. For quantitative variables, missing values were replaced using the multiple imputation method.Results:97 PsA patients (N=54 IBP(+), N=43 IBP(-)) received NTK. Both subpopulations were comparable in gender, age and PsA activity at baseline. The treatment led to a pronounced decline in PsA activity in both subpopulations, significant differences between arms were observed only in DAPSA remission and very low disease activity (VLDA) at week 24 (Figure 1A). Changes from baseline in DAS28-CRP were consistent between IBP(+) and IBP(-) patients with a rapid decline during the first month with further improvement up to week 24 (Figure 1B). A similar trend was observed PsA-specific composite responder index (PSARC) (data not shown). A comparable percentage of IBP(+) and IBP(-) patients achieved PSARC at each timepoint of evaluation with 87% and 86% of responders respectively at week 24.Conclusion:NTK significantly improved PsA activity regardless of the presence of IBP.Figure 1.PsA activity after 24-week treatment with NTK. (A) Percentage of patients with DAPSA remission (0-4), very low disease activity (VLDA), minimal disease activity (MDA) at week 24; (B) change from baseline in DAS28-CRPAcknowledgements:This study was sponsored by JSC BIOCAD.Disclosure of Interests:Tatiana Korotaeva Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biocad, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Inna Gaydukova Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biocad, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, V Mazurov: None declared, Aleksey Samtsov: None declared, Vladislav Khayrutdinov: None declared, Andrey Bakulev: None declared, Alena Kundzer: None declared, Nikolaj Soroka: None declared, Anna Eremeeva Employee of: Biocad.

AB0697 PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT CRITERIA SETS FOR INFLAMMATORY BACK PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Background:Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is the most prominent clinical feature for an early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis. The performance of the criteria sets for IBP has not yet been assessed in clinical practice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Objectives:To assess and to compare the performance of different IBP criteria sets in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) outpatients attending the rheumatology unit of the University Hospital of Kinshasa, DRC.Methods:One hundred and eight Congolese outpatients with axial SpA defined by rheumatologist’s clinical judgment were included in the spondyloarthritis cohort of the University Hospital of Kinshasa from March 1st2015 to February 28, 2017. Calin criteria, Berlin criteria and ASAS criteria sets for IBP were performed to assess their performance against clinical judgment. Detailed history, clinical examination and imaging of sacroiliac joints by plain radiography were obtained. Sacroiliac joint radiographic lesions were scored with the modified New York criteria. Magnetic resonance imaging and HLA B27 were not performed. Fifty additional patients with a diagnosis of chronic (>3 months) mechanical low back pain (MLBP) were included as control group. The performance of each item and different criterias was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio (LR). Baseline characteristics of the mechanical and inflammatory back pain cohorts were compared with chi-square or Student t tests as appropriate.Results:The mean age was 43.8±15.1 years in SpA patients versus 62.4±9.1 years in controls (MLBP patients) with respective sex ratio (M/F) of 1/0.8 and 1/2.1. There were significantly more male patients in the ankylosing spondylitis (AS) group than in the non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis group (p<0.01). Among the criteria sets, Calin criteria showed the best sensitivity (92.6%) while the Berlin criteria showed the best specificity (97.6%) in the detection of IBP patients. The new ASAS criteria for IBP compared to the two previous criteria sets did not show good sensitivity nor specificity (sensivity 80%, specificity 62%, LR+ 1.05 (0.90 – 1.22), LR- 0.52 (0.39 – 0.69), 95%CI).Conclusion:The Calin criteria set would be useful for epidemiological and clinical studies in DRC. The ASAS criteria set for IBP is not better than other criteria sets in the screening of IBP for Congolese patients with axSpA.

New onset of axial spondyloarthropathy in patients treated with isotretinoin for acne vulgaris: incidence, follow-up, and MRI findings

Oral isotretinoin is commonly prescribed for acne vulgaris. Several case reports and observational studies have reported serious musculoskeletal side effects; however, the incidence, imaging findings, and longitudinal follow-up data are limited for patients who develop inflammatory back pain (IBP). To assess the incidence of isotretinoin-triggered axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in acne vulgaris patients based on clinical features and MRI findings and to examine clinical and radiological outcomes following drug withdrawal. Five hundred thirteen acne patients receiving isotretinoin were screened for IBP; IBP patients were assessed for CRP, plain radiographs, and MRI of the sacroiliac joint. MRI-proven sacroiliitis was scored semi-quantitatively. Patients were followed longitudinally to assess SpA clinical course and longitudinal MRI sacroiliac joints, and CRP levels were reassessed 3weeks after patients were symptom-free, following isotretinoin discontinuation. Of the 513 patients, 23.98% developed IBP. MRI-proven sacroiliitis was detected in 42.3% of the symptomatic patients or 10.1% of the cohort. Among MRI-proven sacroiliitis cases, 51.9% fulfilled the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria for axial SpA. Mean CRP level was 32.05 ± 17.23mg/L at pain onset and 3.4 ± 2.7mg/L after symptom resolution. MRI findings completely resolved within 9months (mean 6.27 ± 1.7) after isotretinoin discontinuation. MRI scores positively correlated with baseline CRP levels and global acne grading system score, pain, and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score. Isotretinoin-induced axial SpA is a prevalent side effect in acne vulgaris patients. Early detection and follow-up of isotretinoin-induced sacroiliitis can be facilitated by MRI. Cessation of isotretinoin resulted in complete resolution in all affected patients.Key Points• Detection of underdiagnosed isotretinoin side effects which are common but not always correctly diagnosed and managed.• Incidence, diagnosis, and management of these side effects in a real-world setting.• This is the first large prospective longitudinal cohort study to report on axial manifestations in patients treated with isotretinoin as well as the effect of drug cessation upon the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings.

Presence of active MRI lesions in patients suspected of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with high disease activity and chance at conversion after a 6-month follow-up period

ObjectivesThe primary aim is to evaluate signs of inflammation on MRI of sacroiliac joints (SIJ)/spine in inflammatory back pain (IBP) patients suspected of nr-axSpA with high disease activity. Secondary aims are to describe the onset of new inflammatory lesions at MRI after 6 months and to evaluate gender differences in the presence of inflammation.MethodConsecutively, patients with IBP with at least two spondyloarthritis features, high disease activity (BASDAI ≥ 4), and who were TNFi naïve, had a MRI of SIJ and spine. In the absence of active lesions, MRI was repeated after 6 months. MRI images were scored according to the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada method.ResultsSixty-nine patients were included (53% female), of whom 39% showed signs of inflammation at the first MRI: 30.9% of the SIJ, 19.1% of the spine and 2.4% at both sites, irrespective of the CRP levels. Males more often showed inflammatory signs at the MRI of the SIJ and spine compared with females (45.5% vs. 33.3%). Consistently, the median SPARCC score was higher in males: for SIJ 14.0 (IQR 2.3–25.0) and for spine 11.5 (IQR 8.5–25.6). Only one patient (4.7%) without baseline inflammatory signs showed active lesions of SIJ after 6 months.ConclusionsAlmost 40% of the IBP patients suspected of nr-axSpA, with high disease activity, showed inflammatory lesions on MRI of SIJ and/or spine, which occurred more often in males compared with females. In the majority (95.3%), an MRI without inflammatory lesions remained negative after 6 months despite high disease activity.Key Points• Forty percent of inflammatory back pain patients with high disease activity showed inflammatory signs on MRI of the SIJ and/or spine.• Only 4% of baseline MRIs without inflammatory signs at baseline conversed to an MRI with inflammatory signs after 6 months.• Male inflammatory back pain patients with high disease activity showed more often inflammatory signs on MRI compared with females.

Similar alteration for mental and physical aspects in health-related quality of life over 5 to 8\u2009years in 1347 patients with early arthritis and early inflammatory back pain

IntroductionHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a priority for patients. The objectives were to describe the changes in HRQoL over 5–8 years in patients with early arthritis (EA) or early inflammatory back pain (IBP) and to explore factors associated to HRQoL.Patients and methodsIn 2 prospective observational French cohorts (ESPOIR for EA patients and DESIR for early IBP patients), HRQoL was assessed regularly over 5–8 years, using the SF36 physical and mental composite scores (PCS and MCS, range 0–100). Disease activity was assessed by DAS28-ESR and ASDAS-CRP. Univariate and multivariate linear mixed-effect models and trajectory-based mapping were applied.ResultsIn all, 1347 patients (701 EA and 646 early IBP) were analysed: mean age 48.4 ± 12.2 and 33.9 ± 8.7 years respectively; mean disease duration 3.4 ± 1.7 and 18.2 ± 10.8 months; and 76.3% and 55.0% females. At baseline, in EA, mean PCS and MCS were respectively 40.2 ± 9.1 and 40.4 ± 11.2 and, in early IBP, were respectively 38.5 ± 8.5 and 39.8 ± 10.9. Over follow-up, HRQoL mean levels improved mostly over the first 6 months (p < 0.001). Two trajectories were evidenced in both diseases. The ‘good HRQoL’ trajectory groups, i.e. 54–61% of patients, reached levels of HRQoL close to population norms. DAS28-ESR and ASDAS-CRP over time were related to PCS (range of explained variance 9–43%, p < 0.001 in the mixed models) but not to MCS.ConclusionHRQoL was altered similarly for both physical and mental aspects in EA and early IBP. Disease activity only partly explained HRQoL: the drivers of HRQoL should be further explored.

Back pain in psoriatic arthritis: defining prevalence, characteristics and performance of inflammatory back pain criteria in psoriatic arthritis

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the agreement between rheumatologist-judged inflammatory back pain (IBP) and criteria defining IBP in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and predictive value of IBP in identifying axial...

An epidemiological study of the prevalence rate of inflammatory back pain and axial spondyloarthritis in a university in the south of China.

Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is an important clinical feature for axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). Yet, little is known about their prevalences in China. We conducted an epidemiological study in a university to detect the prevalences of IBP and axial SpA according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria. We investigated 3770 participants from South China Agricultural University by face-to-face questionnaires and evaluated the prevalences of chronic low back pain (CLBP) and IBP. In addition, 333 students including all IBP patients volunteered to do HLA-B27 test, and we performed X-ray examination on students with suspect axial SpA. Axial SpA was confirmed by rheumatologists according to ASAS criteria. The mean (± SD) age of screened population was 19.48 (± 2.80) years, while female to male ratio was 1.45:1 (2229/1541). Seven hundred thirty-one (19.39%) of all participants had CLBP and 111 (2.94%) had IBP. Among the 333 students receiving HLA-B27 test, 13 (0.34%, 13/3770) fulfilled ASAS criteria for axial SpA. Nine students had sacroiliitis on imaging plus at least one SpA feature (IBP and positive HLA-B27 results). Four students had positive HLA-B27 plus at least two other SpA features (arthritis/enthesitis and good response to NSAIDs). For CLBP, female/male was 485/246. For axial SpA, female/male was 4/9(P = 0.014). In southern China, the prevalences of CLBP and IBP were respectively 19.39 and 2.94% in university, and the prevalence of axial SpA was 0.34%. Although more female students had CLBP, males were more likely to suffer from axial SpA.

Inflammatory back pain and associated disease conditions among patients with chronic low back pain in Bangladesh.

Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is the earliest symptom of axial and other forms of spondyloarthritis (SpA). However, there are no published data on prevalence of IBP among patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP) in Bangladesh. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of IBP and the subtypes of SpA in a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh. This 1 year cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 CLBP patients in a rheumatology outpatient clinic. Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society classification criteria of IBP and predefined recognized classification criteria were followed to define different subtypes of SpA. Means and standard deviations were reported for continuous variables. Descriptive and bi-variate analyses were accordingly performed. Of 240 CLBP patients, 60 (25%) had IBP and 180 (75%) had mechanical back pain (MBP). Among the 60 IBP patients, 52 (86.6%) had predominantly axial SpA (axSpA) and eight (13.4%) had predominantly peripheral spondyloarthritis. In the axSpA group, 49 (94.2%) had radiographic axSpA (rd-axSpA) also known as AS and three (5.8%) had non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axspA). AxSpA patients could be divided into eight (15.35%) with psoriasis, two (3.8%) with reactive arthritis and one patient (1.9%) had arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Fifty (83.3%) IBP and 73 (40.6%) MBP patients had age at onset of back pain < 40 years. Forty-two (70%) of the IBP and 100 (55.6%) of the MBP patients had normal body mass index. All these differences were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.0001). Inflammatory back pain is common among patients presenting with CLBP. The commonest cause of IBP is AS, followed by PsA and nr-axSpA.

P163 Performance of ASAS criteria for inflammatory back pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

P163 Performance of ASAS criteria for inflammatory back pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis among patients with inflammatory back pain in rheumatology practices: a multinational, multicenter study.

BackgroundPatients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who by definition have radiographic sacroiliitis, typically experience symptoms for a decade or more before being diagnosed. Yet, even patients without radiographic sacroiliitis (i.e., nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis [nr-axSpA]) report a significant disease burden. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of nr-axSpA among patients with inflammatory back pain (IBP) in rheumatology clinics in a number of countries across the world. A secondary objective was to estimate the prevalence of IBP among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).MethodsData were collected from 51 rheumatology outpatient clinics in 19 countries in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. As consecutive patients with CLBP (N = 2517) were seen by physicians at the sites, their clinical histories were evaluated to determine whether they met the new Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria for IBP. For those who did, their available clinical history (e.g., family history, C-reactive protein [CRP] levels) was documented in a case report form to establish whether they met criteria for nr-axSpA, AS, or other IBP. Patients diagnosed with nr-axSpA or AS completed patient-reported outcome measures to assess disease activity and functional limitations.ResultsA total of 2517 patients with CLBP were identified across all sites. Of these, 974 (38.70 %) fulfilled the criteria for IBP. Among IBP patients, 29.10 % met criteria for nr-axSpA, and 53.72 % met criteria for AS. The prevalence of nr-axSpA varied significantly by region (p < 0.05), with the highest prevalence reported in Asia (36.46 %) and the lowest reported in Africa (16.02 %). Patients with nr-axSpA reported mean ± SD Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scores based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP of 2.62 ± 1.17 and 2.52 ± 1.21, respectively, indicating high levels of disease activity (patients with AS reported corresponding scores of 2.97 ± 1.13 and 2.93 ± 1.18). Similarly, the overall Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score of 4.03 ± 2.23 for patients with nr-axSpA (4.56 ± 2.17 for patients with AS) suggested suboptimal disease control.ConclusionsThese results suggest that, in the centers that participated in the study, 29 % of patients with IBP met the criteria for nr-axSpA and 39 % of patients with CLBP had IBP. The disease burden in nr-axSpA is substantial and similar to that of AS, with both groups of patients experiencing inadequate disease control. These findings suggest the need for early detection of nr-axSpA and initiation of available treatment options to slow disease progression and improve patient well-being.

The discriminative value of inflammatory back pain in patients with persistent low back pain

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of inflammatory back pain (IBP) characteristics and analyse the discriminative value of IBP relative to axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria.Method: Patients who had low back pain for > 3 months were selected from a cohort of secondary care patients aged 18–40 years. Data included information on SpA features, human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 typing, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joints, and self-reported IBP questions covering the pain characteristics included in the Calin, Berlin, and ASAS IBP definitions.Results: Of the 759 included patients, 99% [95% confidence interval (CI) 98–100] had at least one IBP characteristic. The prevalence of the single IBP characteristics ranged from 10% (95% CI 7–12) for ‘pain worst in the morning’ to 79% (95% CI 76–82) for ‘morning stiffness’. Two-thirds of the patients (67%, 95% CI 63–70), met at least one of the three IBP definitions. In all, 86 (11%) were classified as ‘SpA according to ASAS’. All three IBP definitions were significantly associated with ‘SpA according to ASAS’; however, the discriminative value was low, with sensitivity, specificity, and balanced accuracy values of 64, 50, and 57% for Calin, 59, 60, and 60% for Berlin, and 35, 79, and 57% for ASAS IBP definitions, respectively.Conclusions: In this study population, IBP characteristics were in general common and the discriminative value was low, as IBP could not differentiate patients with SpA according to ASAS criteria from patients with other causes of back pain.

SAT0586 Diagnosing and Managing Inflammatory Back Pain- How Good Are Our GP Trainees?

BackgroundGood Medical Practice for General Practitioners1and RCGP Curriculum 20102 has provided comprehensive and holistic guidance for high standard of patient care. GPs are expected to have an adequate knowledge about...

OP0191-PC Prevalence of inflammatory back pain in a UK primary care population

BackgroundIt is accepted that seronegative spondyloarthritides such as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) are frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed late in the disease course; early diagnosis and subsequent treatment improves patient symptoms and...

AB0670 Prevalence of chronic back pain and inflammatory back pain in cohort young lithuanian people

BackgroundInflammatory back pain (IBP) is one of the main presenting symptoms in spondyloarthropathies (SpA). The prevalence of inflammatory back pain in young people population is unknown. The identification of chronic...

Assessment of structural lesions in sacroiliac joints enhances diagnostic utility of magnetic resonance imaging in early spondylarthritis

To compare the diagnostic utility of T1-weighted and STIR magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences in early spondylarthritis (SpA) using a standardized approach to the evaluation of sacroiliac (SI) joints, and to test whether systematic calibration of readers directed at recognition of abnormalities on T1-weighted MRI would enhance diagnostic utility. Six readers independently assessed T1-weighted and STIR MRI scans of the SI joints from 187 subjects: 75 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 27 preradiographic inflammatory back pain (IBP) patients, and 26 mechanical back pain and 59 healthy volunteer controls ages ≤45 years. The exercise was repeated 6 months later on a random selection of 30 AS patients and 34 controls after calibration directed at lesions visible on T1-weighted MRI. Specific MRI lesions were recorded according to standardized definitions. In addition to deciding on the presence/absence of SpA, readers were asked which MRI sequence and which type of lesion was the primary basis for their diagnostic conclusion. Structural lesions were detected in 98% of AS patients and 64% of IBP patients. A diagnosis of SpA was based on T1-weighted or combined T1-weighted/STIR sequences in 82% of AS patients and 41% of IBP patients. Calibration enhanced the diagnostic utility of MRI in the majority of readers, especially those considered less experienced; the mean positive and negative likelihood ratios (of 6 readers) were 14.5 and 0.08 precalibration, respectively, and 22.2 and 0.02 postcalibration, respectively. Recognition of structural lesions on T1-weighted MRI contributes significantly to its diagnostic utility in early SpA. Rheumatologist training directed at detection of lesions visible on T1-weighted MRI enhances diagnostic utility.

The diagnostic utility of MRI in spondyloarthritis: An international multicentre evaluation of 187 subjects (The MORPHO study)

OBJECTIVE:: To systematically assess the diagnostic utility of MRI to differentiate spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients from patients with non-specific back pain (NSBP) and healthy volunteers using a standardized evaluation of MR images of the sacroiliac joints (SIJ). METHODS:: Five readers blinded to patient and diagnosis independently assessed MRI scans (T1-weighted and STIR sequences) of the SIJ from 187 subjects: 75 patients with AS (symptom duration </=10 years); 27 patients with pre-radiographic inflammatory back pain (IBP) (mean symptom duration 29 months); 26 NSBP and 59 healthy controls </=45 years. Bone marrow edema (BME), fat infiltration, erosion, and ankylosis were recorded according to standardized definitions using an online data entry system. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios for the diagnosis of SpA based on global assessment of the MRI scans. RESULTS:: Diagnostic utility was high for all 5 readers for both AS (sensitivity 0.90, specificity 0.97, LR+ 44.6) and pre-radiographic IBP patients (sensitivity 0.51, specificity 0.97, LR+ 26.0). Diagnostic utility based solely on detection of BME enhanced sensitivity (67%) for IBP patients but reduced specificity (88%); detection of erosions in addition to BME further enhanced sensitivity (81%) without changing specificity. A single MRI lesion of the SIJ was observed in up to 27% of control individuals. CONCLUSION:: This systematic and standardized evaluation of SIJ in SpA patients showed that MRI has much greater diagnostic utility than documented previously. We present for the first time a data driven definition of a positive MRI for SpA.

New criteria for inflammatory back pain in patients with chronic back pain: a real patient exercise by experts from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)

Objective:Inflammatory back pain (IBP) is an important clinical symptom in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), and relevant for classification and diagnosis. In the present report, a new approach for the...