title: Microscopic gut inflammation in axial spondyloarthritis: a multiparametric predictive model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the rates and explore predictors of microscopic gut inflammation in a cohort of patients with axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ileocolonoscopy was performed in 65 patients with axial and peripheral SpA from the Gent Inflammatory Arthritis and spoNdylitis cohorT. Histopathological analysis and scoring were performed by an experienced pathologist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 46.2% of the patients with SpA showed microscopic gut inflammation. In axial SpA, the following parameters were independently associated with gut involvement: male sex (OR=8.9, p=0.035); high disease activity measured by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (OR=2.05, p=0.032); restricted spinal mobility measured by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (OR=1.94, p=0.009); and younger age (OR=0.85, p=0.013). No clear association was found for human leucocyte antigen-B27 status, presence of peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, uveitis, psoriasis, intake of non-steroidal anti-inﬂammatory drugs and family history of SpA. The prevalence of gut inflammation in non-radiographic axial SpA and ankylosing spondylitis was comparable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of microscopic gut inflammation in SpA remains unaltered over time. Younger age (shorter symptom duration), progressive disease, male sex and higher disease activity are independently associated with microscopic gut inflammation in axial SpA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Liesbet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Praet
authors.forename: Filip E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Van den Bosch
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacques
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carron
authors.forename: Lennart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jans
authors.forename: Roos
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colman
authors.forename: Elien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Glorieus
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mielants
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Vos
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuvelier
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elewaut
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004760:Enterocolitis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications*