Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSpondyloarthropathy Symptoms and Risk FactorsDiagnosis of SpondyloarthropathySpondyloarthropathy TreatmentComplicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Spondyloarthropathy Symptoms and Risk Factors
Diagnosis of Spondyloarthropathy
Spondyloarthropathy Treatment
Complications
Frequently Asked Questions
Spondyloarthropathyis a group of sixrheumatic diseasesthat cause inflammation and pain where ligaments and tendons attach to bones (entheses). They most commonly affect the spine and pelvis, though some forms also involve joints in the arms or legs.Ankylosing spondylitisand psoriatic arthritis are two examples.
This article discusses the six types of spondyloarthropathy. It explains the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases, as well as their potential complications.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
The followingsix conditionsare classified as spondyloarthropathies. Each has its own set of symptoms and risk factors, though there isa great deal of overlap.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Other joints may be involved, including the hips, knees,ankles, neck, or shoulders. The disease may also havesystemic effects(affecting various organs of the body), including fever, fatigue, and eye or bowel inflammation. Heart or lung involvement is rare but possible. Onset is typically in the teens or 20s.
A gene known as the HLA-B27 gene is thought to be a risk factor.Certain populations are more likely to have this gene, including Native American tribes in Canada and the western United States, as well as Alaskan and Siberian Yupik and Scandinavian Saami. Family members of those with the gene are also at higher risk than those without it.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Reactive Arthritis
The bacteria most commonly associated with reactive arthritis are:
Reactive arthritis can occur in anyone if they are exposed to these organisms and tends to occur most often in men between ages 20 and 50. Some patients with reactive arthritis carry the HLA-B27 gene which is also associated with ankylosing spondylitis; people with weakened immune systems due to AIDS and HIV are also at risk for this condition.
Antibiotics are used to control the initial infection. In some cases, arthritis symptoms may last up to a year, but they are usually mild and do not interfere with daily life. A few patients will have chronic, severe arthritis that is difficult to control and may cause joint damage.
Enteropathic Arthritis
Enteropathic arthritisis a chronic type of inflammatory spondyloarthropathy associated with the inflammatory bowel diseasesulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The most common symptoms are inflammation of the peripheral joints and some abdominal discomfort. The entire spine can become involved in some patients.
Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy
When a patient has signs of spondylitis—but does not meet certain criteria that are necessary for a definitive diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis or another spondyloarthropathy—a diagnosis of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy may be given. In some cases, undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy may evolve into one of the more easily identifiable types of the disease.
Juvenile Spondyloarthropathies
Juvenile spondyloarthropathies are a group of conditions that develop before age 16 but may last throughout adulthood. They include undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy,juvenile ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and spondylitis of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Typically, juvenile spondyloarthropathies involve the lower extremities, with pain and inflammation of the hip, knees, lower back, heels, and toes—usually asymmetric—being the first symptoms. In adulthood, the spine is more likely to be involved. It is not known exactly what is responsible for the development of these conditions, but heredity is thought to play a role.
If your healthcare provider suspects you have a form of spondyloarthritis, the first thing they will do is perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history.
Testing will be necessary to come to a formal diagnosis and may include:
Spondyloarthropathies cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. Your treatment plan will depend on which type of spondyloarthropathy you have been diagnosed with and your specific symptoms. The options include:
In some cases, spinal surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the vertebrae; this is most common with ankylosing spondylitis. When inflammation destroys the cartilage in the hips, surgery to replace the hip with a prosthesis, called total hip replacement, can relieve pain and restore the joint’s function.
Living with a form of spondyloarthritis puts you at risk for certain systemic complications. These include:
Despite the impact that spondyloarthritis can have on your day-to-day life, most people are able to live a full life with the condition. Regular exercise can help keep the joints healthy. Ask your healthcare provider which forms of exercise are appropriate for you, or seek the advice of a physical therapist. And if you smoke, work to quit, as the habit can worsen your case.
Spondyloarthropathy is not life-threatening, but it is a serious, chronic condition. The good news is that most people with spondyloarthropathy live a normal lifespan and can find treatment plans to help them successfully cope with their symptoms.Learn MoreExercises for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Spondyloarthropathy is not life-threatening, but it is a serious, chronic condition. The good news is that most people with spondyloarthropathy live a normal lifespan and can find treatment plans to help them successfully cope with their symptoms.
Learn MoreExercises for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Learn MoreWhat Are Autoinflammatory Diseases?
The cause of spondyloarthropathy depends on your type, but the disease is often hereditary. The primary gene associated with the condition is HLA-B27. Infections, conditions, or other environmental factors can trigger the arthritis in people with a genetic predisposition.Learn MoreGenetic vs. Heredity
The cause of spondyloarthropathy depends on your type, but the disease is often hereditary. The primary gene associated with the condition is HLA-B27. Infections, conditions, or other environmental factors can trigger the arthritis in people with a genetic predisposition.
Learn MoreGenetic vs. Heredity
Symptoms of spondyloarthropathy include pain and stiffness in the spine and limbs. In addition, symptoms may consist of bone deterioration that can cause spine, shoulder, and hip deformity.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sparks JA, Costenbader KH.Genetics, environment, and gene-environment interactions in the development of systemic rheumatic diseases.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):637–657. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.005Chen HH, Chen TJ, Chen YM, Ying-Ming C, Chen DY.Gender differences in ankylosing spondylitis-associated cumulative healthcare utilization: a population-based cohort study.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(2):251–254. doi:10.1590/s1807-59322011000200012Busse K, Liao W.Which Psoriasis Patients Develop Psoriatic Arthritis?Psoriasis Forum. 2010;16(4):17–25.Alshobaili HA, Shahzad M, Al-Marshood A, Khalil A, Settin A, Barrimah I.Genetic background of psoriasis.Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2010;4(1):23–29.Londono J, Santos AM, Peña P, et al.Analysis of HLA-B15 and HLA-B27 in spondyloarthritis with peripheral and axial clinical patterns.BMJ Open. 2015;5(11):e009092. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009092American College of Rheumatology.Spodyloarthritis.Generali E, Bose T, Selmi C, Voncken JW, Damoiseaux JGMC.Nature versus nurture in the spectrum of rheumatic diseases: Classification of spondyloarthritis as autoimmune or autoinflammatory.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(9):935-941. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.04.002
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sparks JA, Costenbader KH.Genetics, environment, and gene-environment interactions in the development of systemic rheumatic diseases.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):637–657. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.005Chen HH, Chen TJ, Chen YM, Ying-Ming C, Chen DY.Gender differences in ankylosing spondylitis-associated cumulative healthcare utilization: a population-based cohort study.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(2):251–254. doi:10.1590/s1807-59322011000200012Busse K, Liao W.Which Psoriasis Patients Develop Psoriatic Arthritis?Psoriasis Forum. 2010;16(4):17–25.Alshobaili HA, Shahzad M, Al-Marshood A, Khalil A, Settin A, Barrimah I.Genetic background of psoriasis.Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2010;4(1):23–29.Londono J, Santos AM, Peña P, et al.Analysis of HLA-B15 and HLA-B27 in spondyloarthritis with peripheral and axial clinical patterns.BMJ Open. 2015;5(11):e009092. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009092American College of Rheumatology.Spodyloarthritis.Generali E, Bose T, Selmi C, Voncken JW, Damoiseaux JGMC.Nature versus nurture in the spectrum of rheumatic diseases: Classification of spondyloarthritis as autoimmune or autoinflammatory.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(9):935-941. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.04.002
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sparks JA, Costenbader KH.Genetics, environment, and gene-environment interactions in the development of systemic rheumatic diseases.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):637–657. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.005Chen HH, Chen TJ, Chen YM, Ying-Ming C, Chen DY.Gender differences in ankylosing spondylitis-associated cumulative healthcare utilization: a population-based cohort study.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(2):251–254. doi:10.1590/s1807-59322011000200012Busse K, Liao W.Which Psoriasis Patients Develop Psoriatic Arthritis?Psoriasis Forum. 2010;16(4):17–25.Alshobaili HA, Shahzad M, Al-Marshood A, Khalil A, Settin A, Barrimah I.Genetic background of psoriasis.Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2010;4(1):23–29.Londono J, Santos AM, Peña P, et al.Analysis of HLA-B15 and HLA-B27 in spondyloarthritis with peripheral and axial clinical patterns.BMJ Open. 2015;5(11):e009092. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009092American College of Rheumatology.Spodyloarthritis.Generali E, Bose T, Selmi C, Voncken JW, Damoiseaux JGMC.Nature versus nurture in the spectrum of rheumatic diseases: Classification of spondyloarthritis as autoimmune or autoinflammatory.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(9):935-941. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.04.002
Sparks JA, Costenbader KH.Genetics, environment, and gene-environment interactions in the development of systemic rheumatic diseases.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):637–657. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.005
Chen HH, Chen TJ, Chen YM, Ying-Ming C, Chen DY.Gender differences in ankylosing spondylitis-associated cumulative healthcare utilization: a population-based cohort study.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(2):251–254. doi:10.1590/s1807-59322011000200012
Busse K, Liao W.Which Psoriasis Patients Develop Psoriatic Arthritis?Psoriasis Forum. 2010;16(4):17–25.
Alshobaili HA, Shahzad M, Al-Marshood A, Khalil A, Settin A, Barrimah I.Genetic background of psoriasis.Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2010;4(1):23–29.
Londono J, Santos AM, Peña P, et al.Analysis of HLA-B15 and HLA-B27 in spondyloarthritis with peripheral and axial clinical patterns.BMJ Open. 2015;5(11):e009092. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009092
American College of Rheumatology.Spodyloarthritis.
Generali E, Bose T, Selmi C, Voncken JW, Damoiseaux JGMC.Nature versus nurture in the spectrum of rheumatic diseases: Classification of spondyloarthritis as autoimmune or autoinflammatory.Autoimmun Rev. 2018;17(9):935-941. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.04.002
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