title: [The recognition of patients with spondyloarthritis. New classification criteria].
abstract: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an umbrella term for a group of rheumatic diseases characterised by inflammation of the sacroiliac (SI) joints and vertebral column; today, differentiation is made between axial SpA and peripheral SpA. Ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew's disease) is the most typical form of axial SpA whereby sacroiliitis can be found on X-rays of the SI joints. Axial SpA can, however, also be present without radiographic evidence of sacroiliitis. A range of SpA-related symptoms can also manifest themselves outside the musculoskeletal system, for example, uveitis, psoriasis and inflammatory intestinal diseases. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors play an important role in the treatment of SpA. New classification criteria have recently been established in which MRI of the SI joints and the presence of the HLA-B27 tissue antigen are key. Axial and peripheral SpA should be recognized early in order to be able to successfully treat these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Medisch Centrum, afd. Klinische Immunologie & Reumatologie, Amsterdam. landewe@rlandewe.nl
authors.forename: Robert B M
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Landewé
authors.forename: Désirée M F M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: van der Heijde
mesh_terms: D042241:Early Diagnosis; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
chemical_list: D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors