Axial Spondyloarthritis FocusRheum

The FDA has approved upadacitinib for the treatment of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) based on a short-term study that demonstrated improved pain, function and other symptoms of nr-axSpA in patients with active disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard imaging modality for the detection of sacroiliitis, a hallmark of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, the specificity of MRI for axSpA has been questioned. Renson et al. found that structural MRI-detected SI joint lesions are frequently seen in healthy individuals.

At the 17th Annual Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Rheumatic Diseases meeting at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Atul Deodhar, MD, discussed ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis & clarified common misconceptions about these conditions.

Over the past few years, biosimilars and other new drugs have been introduced to treat rheumatic illnesses. Some of the conditions we treat have numerous drug options; others have few or only off-label options. This series, Rheumatology Drugs at a Glance, provides streamlined information on the administration of biologic, biosimilar and other medications used to…

Two experts described the measurements of disease activity used in axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis and how rheumatologists can apply them in practice.

Three experts discuss the ins and outs of using magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose axial spondyloarthritis, particularly in individuals who lack clear clinical symptoms indicative of disease.

In August, Abbvie submitted a new drug application for upadacitinib to treat ankylosing spondylitis. And in September, the FDA approved an oral solution of tramadol hydrochloride for pain.

It’s often said the eyes are the window to the soul, and in the case of ankylosing spondylitis and other spondylo­arthropathies, one can also say the eyes are the window to systemic disease. Although uveitis occurs in approximately 2–5% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, 6–9% of patients with psoriatic arthritis and 25% of patients…

A 2019 update of the ACR’s previous clinical practice guideline on axial spondyloarthritis is now available online. Lead investigator Michael Ward, MD, shares advice for implementing the guideline updates, including those related to sequencing and tapering biologics, and knowing when to obtain images.