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Australian Family Physician Nov 2013Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affects one in 200 individuals and is usually diagnosed many years after onset of symptoms. Chronic back pain is common and recognition of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affects one in 200 individuals and is usually diagnosed many years after onset of symptoms. Chronic back pain is common and recognition of early disease requires clinical experience and a high index of suspicion. Further, inflammatory markers are not invariably elevated and radiographic changes are often late findings.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to address AS and the recently defined disorder of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. The latter is a common early presentation of AS, before the development of radiographic sacroiliitis, and will evolve into typical AS in 50% of patients.
DISCUSSION
MRI may be particularly useful in evaluating early disease, although chronic changes of sacroiliitis are better seen on plain X-rays. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are first-line therapy and recent studies suggest that regular use among patients with AS slows radiographic progression. Tumour necrosis inhibitor therapy has strikingly improved quality of life for the more than two-thirds of AS patients with an inadequate response to NSAIDs.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Biomarkers; Disease Progression; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spondylitis, Ankylosing
PubMed: 24217097
DOI: No ID Found -
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Aug 2021Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogenous, chronic, inflammatory musculoskeletal disease that can lead to peripheral and axial damage and loss of function. Axial... (Review)
Review
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogenous, chronic, inflammatory musculoskeletal disease that can lead to peripheral and axial damage and loss of function. Axial involvement occurs in 25% to 70% of patients with PsA, varying greatly depending on its definition, with the key manifestations being sacroiliitis and/or spondylitis. However, there are no agreed-upon classification or diagnostic criteria for axial involvement in PsA and no consensus on treatment paradigms, which complicates management of PsA. There have only been a few studies assessing biologics in patients with PsA with axial involvement, and most treatment plans are based on evidence from patients with axial spondyloarthritis. Rheumatologists therefore face many challenges in the management of axial PsA, including diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and choice of appropriate treatment. In this review, we summarize the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, differential diagnoses, treatment options, and prognosis of axial PsA, with the aim of increasing rheumatologists' knowledge of this phenotype of PsA and thereby aiding its optimal management.
Topics: Arthritis, Psoriatic; Humans; Prognosis; Rheumatologists; Sacroiliitis; Spondylarthritis
PubMed: 34198146
DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.06.006 -
Advances in Orthopedics 2022Sacroiliitis is an inflammation of one or both of the sacroiliac (SI) joints, most often resulting pain in the lower back that can extend down the legs. Pain arising... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Sacroiliitis is an inflammation of one or both of the sacroiliac (SI) joints, most often resulting pain in the lower back that can extend down the legs. Pain arising from the SI joint can be difficult to diagnose and treat due to the intricate surrounding ligamentous structure, nerve innervation, and its role in transferring weight from the upper body to the lower limbs. SI joint dysfunction accounts for up to 25% of cases of lower back pain and has a debilitating effect on patient functionality. This review aims to provide comprehensive coverage of all aspects of SI joint pain, with a specific focus on differential diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS
Current literature on SI joint pain and inflammation, other etiologies of lower back pain, and new treatment options were compiled using the databases PubMed and Cochrane and used to write this comprehensive review. There were no restrictions when conducting the literature search with regard to publication date, study language, or study type.
RESULTS
The diagnosis protocol of SI joint pain arising from sacroiliitis usually begins with the presentation of lower back pain and confirmatory diagnostic testing through fluoroscopy joint block. Reduction in pain following the anesthetic is considered the golden standard for diagnosis. The treatment begins with the conservative approach of physical therapy and analgesics for symptom relief. However, refractory cases often require interventional methods such as corticosteroid injections, prolotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and even SI joint fusion surgery.
CONCLUSION
SI joint pain is a complex problem that can present with varying patterns of pain due to uncertainty regarding its innervation and its prominent surrounding structure. It is therefore especially important to obtain a thorough history and physical on top of diagnostic tests such as a diagnostic block to properly identify the source of pain. Conservative treatment options with physical therapy and analgesics should be attempted first before interventional strategies such as ablation, injections, and prolotherapy can be considered. SI joint fusion surgery is a solution to cases in which previous methods do not provide significant relief.
PubMed: 36620475
DOI: 10.1155/2022/3283296 -
Arthritis Care & Research Jun 2019To develop treatment recommendations for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis manifesting as non-systemic polyarthritis, sacroiliitis, or enthesitis.
2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Therapeutic Approaches for Non-Systemic Polyarthritis, Sacroiliitis, and Enthesitis.
OBJECTIVE
To develop treatment recommendations for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis manifesting as non-systemic polyarthritis, sacroiliitis, or enthesitis.
METHODS
The Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes (PICO) questions were developed and refined by members of the guideline development teams. A systematic review was conducted to compile evidence for the benefits and harms associated with treatments for these conditions. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology was used to rate the quality of evidence. A group consensus process was conducted among the Voting Panel to generate the final recommendations and grade their strength. A Parent and Patient Panel used a similar consensus approach to provide patient/caregiver preferences for key questions.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine recommendations were developed (8 strong and 31 conditional). The quality of supporting evidence was very low or low for 90% of the recommendations. Recommendations are provided for the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, biologics, and intraarticular and oral glucocorticoids. Recommendations for the use of physical and occupational therapy are also provided. Specific recommendations for polyarthritis address general medication use, initial and subsequent treatment, and adjunctive therapies. Good disease control, with therapeutic escalation to achieve low disease activity, was recommended. The sacroiliitis and enthesitis recommendations primarily address initial therapy and adjunctive therapies.
CONCLUSION
This guideline provides direction for clinicians, caregivers, and patients making treatment decisions. Clinicians, caregivers, and patients should use a shared decision-making process that accounts for patients' values, preferences, and comorbidities. These recommendations should not be used to limit or deny access to therapies.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antirheumatic Agents; Arthritis, Juvenile; Biological Products; Consensus; Enthesopathy; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rheumatology; Risk Factors; Sacroiliitis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31021516
DOI: 10.1002/acr.23870 -
Skeletal Radiology Sep 2022In 2009, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) published a definition of 'active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for... (Review)
Review
In 2009, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) published a definition of 'active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for classification of axial spondyloarthritis'. This new definition of an 'ASAS-positive MRI' was integral to new classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis that were published in the same year. The ASAS MRI definition had the considerable advantage of simplicity and the definition gained popularity as guidance for interpreting MRI of the sacroiliac joints in clinical practice. However, classification criteria are not designed for use in clinical practice with the consequence that overreliance on the presence of bone marrow edema, which is the principal determinant of an 'ASAS-positive MRI', may result in a tendency to overcall inflammatory sacroiliitis in the clinical setting. This article aims to inform the reader about the rationale behind the ASAS definition of a positive MRI and ASAS classification criteria, their proper use in research and why they should not be used in clinical practice. The article also contains guidance for an updated imaging protocol and interpretation of images including typical imaging findings, differential diagnosis, and common pitfalls.
Topics: Axial Spondyloarthritis; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sacroiliac Joint; Sacroiliitis; Spondylarthritis
PubMed: 35199195
DOI: 10.1007/s00256-022-04018-4 -
Arthritis & Rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) Jun 2019To develop treatment recommendations for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis manifesting as non-systemic polyarthritis, sacroiliitis, or enthesitis.
2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Therapeutic Approaches for Non-Systemic Polyarthritis, Sacroiliitis, and Enthesitis.
OBJECTIVE
To develop treatment recommendations for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis manifesting as non-systemic polyarthritis, sacroiliitis, or enthesitis.
METHODS
The Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes (PICO) questions were developed and refined by members of the guideline development teams. A systematic review was conducted to compile evidence for the benefits and harms associated with treatments for these conditions. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology was used to rate the quality of evidence. A group consensus process was conducted among the Voting Panel to generate the final recommendations and grade their strength. A Parent and Patient Panel used a similar consensus approach to provide patient/caregiver preferences for key questions.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine recommendations were developed (8 strong and 31 conditional). The quality of supporting evidence was very low or low for 90% of the recommendations. Recommendations are provided for the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, biologics, and intraarticular and oral glucocorticoids. Recommendations for the use of physical and occupational therapy are also provided. Specific recommendations for polyarthritis address general medication use, initial and subsequent treatment, and adjunctive therapies. Good disease control, with therapeutic escalation to achieve low disease activity, was recommended. The sacroiliitis and enthesitis recommendations primarily address initial therapy and adjunctive therapies.
CONCLUSION
This guideline provides direction for clinicians, caregivers, and patients making treatment decisions. Clinicians, caregivers, and patients should use a shared decision-making process that accounts for patients' values, preferences, and comorbidities. These recommendations should not be used to limit or deny access to therapies.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antirheumatic Agents; Arthritis; Arthritis, Juvenile; Enthesopathy; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Injections, Intra-Articular; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Sacroiliitis; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
PubMed: 31021537
DOI: 10.1002/art.40884 -
The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear... Sep 2017Despite major progress in the imaging diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA), the relative advantages of various available imaging techniques remain unclear. The aim of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Despite major progress in the imaging diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA), the relative advantages of various available imaging techniques remain unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the current use of imaging in the diagnosis of SpA and to provide suitable recommendations for the use of imaging as an outcome measure as defined in the Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A systematic literature search regarding imaging in SpA was performed. Articles were assessed by two reviewers to identify and summarized key information pertaining to imaging in SpA.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
The search identified 180 relevant articles. Conventional radiography (CR) (17 articles), ultrasound (US) (26 articles), conventional computed tomography (CT) (13 articles), spectral computed tomography (spectral CT) (2 articles), bone scintigraphy (24 articles), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were assessed (98 articles). Sacroiliitis and enthesitis were the major imaging findings in SpA. Multiple studies assessed the feasibility, validity, or differences among imaging modalities for the diagnosis of SpA; however, comprehensive assessments were not available due to a paucity of prospective imaging studies. CR is a widely available, inexpensive initial approach to evaluate patients with suspected SpA. CT enables assessment of structural changes from chronic sacroiliitis including bony erosions, subchondral sclerosis, joint space narrowing, and ankyloses; however, both CR and CT modalities are insensitive for demonstrating early enthesitis and sacroiliitis in SpA. US mainly identifies appendicular enthesitis but is more limited with respect to the sacroiliac joints. Bone scintigraphy can identify sacroiliac joint lesions and semi-quantitatively assess active sacroiliitis. MRI optimally evaluates not only early enthesitis and sacroiliitis of SpA but also chronic structural changes to the sacroiliac joints.
CONCLUSIONS
More than one modality may be required for diagnostic and assessment of SpA depending upon disease characteristics and evolution. CR is a suitable initial examination while MRI is able to detect both early and late changes of SpA. A combination of CR and MRI is recommended for the diagnosis and assessment of SpA.
Topics: Diagnostic Imaging; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Spondylarthritis
PubMed: 28497939
DOI: 10.23736/S1824-4785.17.02981-8 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2021Some studies have suggested children with juvenile onset spondyloarthritis (JoSpA) have a relatively poor outcome compared to other juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)... (Review)
Review
Some studies have suggested children with juvenile onset spondyloarthritis (JoSpA) have a relatively poor outcome compared to other juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) categories, in regards to functional status and failure to attain remission. Thus, in the interest of earlier recognition and risk stratification, awareness of the unique characteristics of this group is critical. Herein, we review the clinical burden of disease, prognostic indicators and outcomes in JoSpA. Of note, although children exhibit less axial disease at onset compared to adults with spondyloarthritis (SpA), 34-62% have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence for active inflammation in the absence of reported back pain. Furthermore, some studies have reported that more than half of children with "enthesitis related arthritis" (ERA) develop axial disease within 5 years of diagnosis. Axial disease, and more specifically sacroiliitis, portends continued active disease. The advent of TNF inhibitors has promised to be a "game changer," given their relatively high efficacy for enthesitis and axial disease. However, the real world experience in various cohorts since the introduction of more widespread TNF inhibitor usage, in which greater than a third still have persistently active disease, suggests there is still work to be done in developing new therapies and improving the outlook for JoSpA.
PubMed: 34124112
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.680916 -
Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North... Nov 2021Spondyloarthritis represents a group of disorders characterized by enthesitis and axial skeletal involvement. Juvenile spondyloarthritis begins before age 16. Joint... (Review)
Review
Spondyloarthritis represents a group of disorders characterized by enthesitis and axial skeletal involvement. Juvenile spondyloarthritis begins before age 16. Joint involvement is usually asymmetric. Bone marrow edema on noncontrast MRI of the sacroiliac joints can facilitate diagnosis. The most significant risk factor for axial disease is HLA-B27. Most patients have active disease into adulthood. Enthesitis and sacroiliitis correlate with greater pain intensity and poor quality-of-life measures. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are the mainstay of biologic therapy. Although other biologics such as IL-17 blockers have shown benefit in adult spondyloarthritis, none are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Arthritis, Juvenile; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sacroiliac Joint; Sacroiliitis; Spondylarthritis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing
PubMed: 34635292
DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2021.07.001