ASAS modification of the Berlin algorithm for diagnosing axial spondyloarthritis: results from the SPondyloArthritis Caught Early (SPACE)-cohort and from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)-cohort

Abstract

ASAS accepted a modified algorithm for diagnosing axSpA in which IBP is excluded as obligatory entry criterion and added as SpA-feature.

Comparison of MRI with radiography for detecting structural lesions of the sacroiliac joint using CT as standard of reference: results from the SIMACT study

“…We also included 18 healthy age and sex matched controls that underwent MRI only (mean age 34.6 years, 9 male and 9 female). The final diagnosis was established by an expert rheumatologist using a published algorithm and taking into account all clinical data, laboratory results and imaging findings 19. The local ethics committee approved this study, and all patients gave written informed consent.…”

Radiographic Evaluation of Sacroiliac Joints in Axial Spondyloarthritis — Still Worth Performing?

“…According to the recently published European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of SpA in clinical practice, conventional radiography of SI joints is recommended as the first imaging method in the case of suspicion of axSpA 5 . Similarly, in the ASAS modification of the Berlin diagnostic algorithm for axSpA, radiography of SI joints is again the first imaging method to be applied in case of suspicion of axSpA 6 . Indeed, the method is quick, cheap, and widely available, and up to 50% of the patients with axSpA (even with a relatively short symptom duration of up to 5 yrs) might have definite structural changes in the SI joints visible on radiographs 7 , which means immediate diagnosis and usually no need for an MRI.…”

Are Additional Tests Needed to Rule Out Axial Spondyloarthritis in Patients Ages 16–45 Years With Short‐Duration Chronic Back Pain and Maximally One Spondyloarthritis Feature?

“…(11) According to the algorithm, an X-SI should be obtained in all patients with CBP (duration ≥3 months and ≤2 years, age at onset <45 years) visiting the rheumatologist. Afterwards, the presence of other SpA-features should be evaluated.…”