The Axial Spondyloarthritis Continuum

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by inflammatory low back pain, inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses, and other extra-articular or systemic manifestations. Although understanding of the natural history of axSpA has been limited by incomplete knowledge of disease pathogenesis, axSpA is increasingly understood as a spectrum of axial, peripheral, and extra-articular inflammatory conditions that includes nonradiographic axSpA and radiographic axSpA, also known as ankylosing spondylitis.

In this podcast episode, Eric Ruderman, MD, associate chief and professor of Rheumatology at Northwestern Medicine, discusses this axSpA continuum, highlighting the spectrum of clinical manifestations, factors known to influence the development and progression of axSpA, reasons for and implications of diagnostic delay, as well as current and emerging therapeutics.