Clinical observations programme in SpA: disease parameters, treatment options and practical management issues.
Spondyloarthritides (SpAs) are a cluster of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases that typically involve inflammation of axial and peripheral joint or tendon and ligament insertions, distinct radiographic changes and diverse extra-articular features. Conventional treatments relieve the signs and symptoms but do not prevent disease progression. TNFalpha inhibitors provide clinicians with the potential to treat the underlying pathology and to alter disease progression. By targeting the underlying inflammatory mechanisms, TNFalpha blockade can treat any extra-articular manifestations of SpA.
Elewaut
Dirk
D
Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. dirk.elewaut@ugent.be
Van den Bosch
Filip
F
Verbruggen
Gust
G
de Keyser
Filip
F
Cruyssen
Bert Vander
BV
Mielants
Herman
H
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha