Spondyloarthropathies Flashcards
What are spondyloarthropathies?
They are a family of inflammatory arthitides, characterised by involvement of both the spine and joints, principally in genetically predisposed (HLA B27) indiviuals
What are the 4 sub-types of spondyloarthropathy?
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Enteropathic arthritis
How does mechanical back pain differ from inflammatory back pain
Mechanical back pain is worsened by activity
Inflammatory back pain is worse with rest
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
This is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the axial skeleton (Mainly spine and sacroiliac joints), leading to partial or complete fusion and rigidity of the spine
Who is most at risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis?
Males (4:1)
Aged 20-40
HLA-B27 positive
Describe the pathophysiology of ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis causes chronic inflammationof the ligaments, joints and entheses (Connection between bone and tendon)
This leads to the formation of bony protuberances called syndesmophytes, which eventually leads to fusion of the spine
How will ankylosing spondylitis usually present?
Ankylosing spondylitis usually presents with articular symptoms of the spine, neck and lower back
These articular symptoms are:
- Gradual onset, dull progressive pain
- Morning stiffness >30 minutes (Improves with activity)
- Peripheral arthritis
What are some clinical signs of late stage ankylosing spondylitis?
Loss of lumbar kyphosis
Pronounced cervical lordosis (question mark posture)
Positive Schober’s test
Reduced chest expansion
Inflamed entheses
Occiput:wall not at 0
What are some extra articular features of ankylosing spondylitis? (7A)
- Axial arthritis
- Anterior uveitis
- Aortic regurgitation
- Apical fibrosis
- Amyloidosis/IgA neuropathy
- Achilles tendinitis
- plAntar fasciitis
What are some non-A features of ankylosing spondylitis?
Chest pain caused by costovertebral joint inflammation
Dactylitis (Whole finger swelling)
What test is performed to help in diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis?
Schober’s test
What does Schober’s test entail?
The superior iliac crests are marked with a pen, then a dot 5cm below and 10cm above are placed
The patient should then be asked to bend as far forward as possible, before the distance between the 2 new dots is measures
This should be above 20cm in normal cases
What are the key tests performed in ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis?
Inflammatory markers - CRP, ESR, PV
HLA-B27 genetic testing
Spinal X-ray
Spinal MRI
What will X-ray show in cases of ankylosing spondylitis?
Bamboo spine (Fusion of sacroiliac and spinal joints)
Squaring of vertebral bodies
Suchondral sclerosis and erosion
Syndesmophytes (Bony protuberances)
Ossification of soft tissue
What will be shown on MRI in ankylosing spondylitis that isn’t shown on X-ray?
Bone marrow oedema in early disease
What diagnostic criteria is used in ankylosing spondylitis?
ASAS criteria
What are the 2 pathways of the ASAS criteria?
- Sacroiliitis on imagine AND ≥SpA feature
OR
- HLA-B27 positive AND ≥2 other SpA features
Who is tested using the ASAS criteria?
Patients with ≥3months back pain
Age of onset <45
What SpA features are used in the ASAS criteria?
- Inflammatory back pain
- Arthritis, enthesitis, uveitis and dactylitis
- Psoriasis
- Crohn’s
- HLA-B27 positive
- Good response to NSAIDs
What pharmacological treatment is used in ankylosing spondylitis?
1st - NSAIDs - Ibuprofen, Naproxen
2nd - Anti-TNF - Infliximab, Entanercept
3rd - Anti-IL7 - Secukinumab, Ixekizumab
3rd - JAK inhibitor - Upadacitinab
What are some non-pharmacological managements of ankylosing spondylitis?
Physiotherapy
Exercise therapy
Orthotics
Smoking cessation
When may surgery be performed in ankylosing spondylitis?
In cases of severe joint deformity
What is psoriatic arthritis?
This is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis (10-15% may not have psoriasis)