In many cases, working with physiatry will be helpful, as will addressing mood disorders, such as depression, and using non-opioid pain medications when necessary.
Dr. Ogdie-Beatty concluded by explaining that, if a patient with suspected nr-axSpA fails to respond to multiple types of treatment, it is reasonable to question the underlying diagnosis and ensure that no other condition is driving symptoms.
Jason Liebowitz, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.
References
- Magrey MN, Danve AS, Ermann J, Walsh JA. Recognizing axial spondyloarthritis: A guide for primary care. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(11):2499–2508.
- Marzo-Ortega H. Axial spondyloarthritis: Coming of age. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020 Oct 1;59(Suppl4):iv1–iv5.