Although the
spondyloarthropathies have different symptoms, they primarily
cause inflammatory back pain and affect:
- the sacroiliac joint that
attaches the lower back and the pelvis
- areas around the joint where
the ligaments and tendons attach to bones like the knee or
hip.
Who
Is Affected?
The spondyloarthropathies
usually target teenagers and young adults through their 30s.
Males are affected 2-3 times more often than females, except for
psoriatic arthritis, which affects males and females equally.
The spondyloarthropathies are also more likely to run in
families than other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus
erythematosus. Patients with the genetic marker HLA B27, which
is seen in 7 percent of the population, are also at higher risk.
What Are The
Symptoms?
Because of the joints that are
primarily affected, the spondyloarthropathies tend to cause:
- Low back pain that may
spread into the buttocks
- Morning fatigue that
improves during the day and after exercise
Other symptoms depend on the
specific disorder present. For instance Reiter’s syndrome causes
pain, swelling, and inflammation of the joints, especially in
the sacroiliac joint, and in the fingers, feet, and toes. The
characteristic swelling of the digits in Reiter’s causes them to
appear as “sausage digits.” In children with Reiter’s the joints
of the lower legs are most likely to be affected.
In ankylosing spondylitis, the
shoulders as well as the hips are often affected early in the
disease course. In inflammatory bowel disease, up to 20 percent
of patients, usually with a sudden onset of arthritis affecting
the lower extremities in asymmetric fashion (both sides not
affected equally).
What Is The Treatment?
Depending on the specific
disorder and the type of symptoms that are predominant,
treatment primarily consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs used to reduce pain and stiffness. Stretching exercises
are recommended to improve posture and increase flexibility. A
number of specific nutrients are also used to reduce joint
inflammation, and in severe cases TNF alpha blockers or
biologics such as infliximab are used.
Your treatment will be
determined according to your unique condition, symptoms and
overall health.
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