title: Clinical observations programme in SpA: disease parameters, treatment options and practical management issues.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. dirk.elewaut@ugent.be
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elewaut
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van den Bosch
authors.forename: Gust
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verbruggen
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Keyser
authors.forename: Bert Vander
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Cruyssen
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mielants
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha