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An Update on Diagnosis and Classification of Axial Spondyloarthritis

  • Spondyloarthritis (M Khan, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Rheumatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To summarize the most relevant recent progress to diagnose and classify patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Recent Findings

A substantial proportion of new studies focused on the diagnosis and classification of patients with axSpA. Efforts have been concentrated on setting the best strategy to refer patients with suspected axSpA and evaluating the utility of different tools during the diagnostic work-up, especially of imaging techniques. On top of this, researchers have worked on addressing some concerns raised about the employment of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society classification criteria, especially those related to the validity and misuse of the criteria, providing valuable data on this regard.

Summary

Recent findings emphasize that classification should serve a completely different purpose than diagnosis. In addition, they highlight the importance to consider the limitations for imaging acquisition, the appropriate context, and differential diagnosis when interpreting imaging findings during the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected axSpA.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IdiPaz, University Hospital La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid, Spain

    Victoria Navarro-Compán

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  1. Victoria Navarro-Compán
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Correspondence to Victoria Navarro-Compán.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Victoria Navarro-Compán has received unrelated honoraria or research grants from Abbvie, BMS, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB. She is also a member of ASAS.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Spondyloarthritis

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Navarro-Compán, V. An Update on Diagnosis and Classification of Axial Spondyloarthritis. Curr Rheumatol Rep 21, 39 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-019-0838-5

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