Why is the concept of spondyloarthropathies important?

Abstract

The concept of spondyloarthropathy was recognized first by clinicians based on the aggregation of several diseases occurring either sequentially in the same patient or simultaneously in a family. This concept was thereafter confirmed by the higher prevalence of the HLA-B27 antigen, not only in the group of patients suffering from an axial involvement of ankylosing spondylitis but also in other diseases belonging to the concept of spondyloarthropathy, i.e. psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory-bowel-disease-related arthritis and/or other clinical manifestations such as acute anterior uveitis. Recognition of the concept of the spondyloarthropathy is of great importance not only for research purposes but also in daily practice because such recognition has at least a threefold effect: (a) it permits earlier diagnosis, (b) it facilitates patients' education and monitoring, and (c) it has prognostic implications