Factors predicting axial spondyloarthritis among first-degree relatives of probands with ankylosing spondylitis: a family study spanning 35 years.

OBJECTIVE: Factors predicting axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients need to be defined. We investigated the predictive value of the probands' HLA-B27 and radiographic sacroiliitis status on disease occurrence among their FDR. We also assessed the predictive value of features of the clinical history, including chronic inflammatory back pain (CIBP) and acute anterior uveitis (AAU), among the FDR and how they can be used to improve classification and diagnosis of axSpA. METHODS: In 1985, we studied 363 AS probands and 806 FDR who underwent rheumatologic examination, completed questionnaires, provided blood samples for HLA-typing and underwent radiography of sacroiliac joints. At follow-up in 2018-2019, 125 patients and 360 FDR were available for study, and completed a postal questionnaire about axSpA features. FDRs were asked to report whether after 1985 they had been diagnosed by Swiss rheumatologists as having axSpA. RESULTS: Among HLA-B27(+) FDR, axSpA occurred in 25.4%-26.3%, independent of the radiographic sacroiliitis status of the proband. AAU occurred in 13/34 (38.2%) FDR with axSpA vs 29/251 (11.6%) FDR without axSpA (p=0.00004, OR=4.74 95% CI 2.15 to 10.47). The presence of CIBP at baseline did not predict later occurrence of axSpA but combining CIBP and pain/discomfort at the thoracic spine and at anterior (ventral) chest wall ever, assessed at follow-up in 2018-2019, provided 83.1% sensitivity and 87.2% specificity for current axSpA. CONCLUSION: Occurrence of AAU among FDR of axSpA probands should prompt screening for axSpA. Moreover, co-occurrence of CIBP and pain/discomfort in the thoracic spine and at anterior chest wall as a three-question tool may further enhance clinical suspicion of axSpA among these FDR.

The occurrence of sacroiliitis in HLA-B*35-positive patients with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. A cross sectional MRI study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible association between sacroiliitis and HLA-B*35 positivity. METHOD: After excluding patients with axial spondyloarthritis and HLA-B*27 positivity, psoriasis inflammatory bowel disease, preceding infections, or juvenile type of spondyloarthritis, 110 patients were recruited with a diagnosis of undifferentiated axial spondyloarthritis. All of them had inflammatory back pain of short duration (3 months to 2 years) and 72 were HLA-B*35 positive. In order to determine if there is a possible association of sacroiliitis and HLA-B*35 positivity, all patients underwent MRI of sacroiliac joints. RESULTS: A statistically significant association between the detection of bone marrow edema at sacroiliac joints on MRI and HLA-B*35 positivity (χ2 = 6.25; p = 0.022) was found. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of HLA-B*35 allele was associated with a 6 times greater chance of identifying bone marrow edema at sacroiliac joints on MRI (OR 6, 95% CI 1.3-27, p = 0.021). HLA-B*35 positivity was also associated with a 4.7 times greater chance of finding elevated CRP (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1-11.9, p = 0.047) and a 5 times greater chance of finding peripheral joint synovitis (OR 5, 95% CI 1.75-14.3, p = 0.003). HLA-B*35-positive patients had high disease activity (mean ± SD of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index 6.1 ± 1.72 and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score C-reactive protein Index 3 ± 0.64) with a high degree of functional limitations (mean ± SD of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index 5.3 ± 2.16). CONCLUSION: The data clearly show the association between bone marrow edema on MRI at sacroiliac joints and HLA-B*35 allele in patients with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. Further work is needed to understand how much this result may influence follow-up of these patients. Key Points • HLA-B*35 allele was associated with a 6 times greater chance of identifying bone marrow edema at sacroiliac joints on MRI in un-axSpa patients. • HLA-B*35 allele was also associated with a 4.7 times greater chance of finding elevated CRP and a 5 times greater chance of finding peripheral joint synovitis in un-axSpa patients. • HLA-B*35 allele could be a potential risk factor for developing sacroiliitis and axSpA.

Familial mediterranean fever: assessment of clinical manifestations, pregnancy, genetic mutational analyses, and disease severity in a national cohort.

The aims of this study were to investigate the main clinical and laboratory features, including pregnancy and genetic analysis, of Turkish Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients and to analyze the relationships between genotypic features, age of disease onset, clinical findings, and disease severity. A study was planned within a national network of 22 different centers. Demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, attack characteristics, drugs, pregnancy and birth history, disease severity, and gene mutation analyses were evaluated. Disease severity, assessed using a scoring system developed by Pras et al., was evaluated in relation to gene mutations and age of disease onset. A total of 979 patients (643 females and 336 males; mean age: 35.92 ± 11.97 years) with FMF were included in the study. Of a total of 585 pregnancies, 7% of them resulted in preterm birth and 18.1% resulted in abortions. During pregnancy, there was no FMF attack in 61.4% of patients. Of the MEditerranean FeVer (MEFV) mutations, 150 (24.3%) cases were homozygous, 292 (47.3%) cases were heterozygous, and 175 (28.4%) were compound heterozygous. Patients with homozygous gene mutations had more severe disease activity, earlier age of disease onset, higher rates of joint and skin involvement, sacroiliitis, and amyloidosis. Patients with compound heterozygous genotype displayed severe disease activity in close resemblance to patients with homozygous mutation. In addition, patients with compound heterozygous mutations had higher rates of protracted febrile myalgia and elevated fibrinogen levels. In 63.9% of compound heterozygous patients, age of onset was < 20 years, with greater disease severity, and high rates of attack frequency and colchicine resistance. Our results suggest that indicators for disease severity include early onset of disease and homozygous gene mutations. Furthermore, patients with compound heterozygous mutations displayed significant presentations of severe disease activity.

Positive HLA-B27 and sacroiliitis is not always spondyloarthritis.

A 36-year-old man was treated for several years with multiple agents for ankylosing spondylitis based on positive human leukocyte antigen-B27 and sacroiliitis. He was also diagnosed with osteoporosis and hypophosphatemia. Over these years, from being an avid runner, he became dependent on a walker for ambulation. The lack of treatment response and the low phosphorus were clues that eventually led to a diagnosis of tumor-induced osteomalacia. This case discusses the importance of not solely relying on genetic markers and sacroiliitis for diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis as other conditions can cause similar presentations.

Sacroiliitis in Children With Familial Mediterranean Fever.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease, characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever with serositis. Various diseases were reported to be associated with FMF. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of sacroiliitis in children with FMF. METHODS: Files of FMF patients who had been seen in 2 reference hospitals in Ankara were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with FMF and concomitant sacroiliitis were included to the study. All patients had magnetic resonance imaging evidence of sacroiliitis. RESULTS: Among 650 FMF patients, 17 (11 females, 6 males; mean age, 13.32 ± 4.24 years) (2.6%) of them were found to have sacroiliitis. Familial Mediterranean fever diagnosis was done prior to sacroiliitis diagnosis in 11 patients (65%) and concurrently or afterward in 6 patients (35%). Ten patients had isolated sacroiliitis, and 7 had associated diseases (5 enthesitis-related arthritis, 1 psoriatic arthritis, and 1 ulcerative colitis). Arthritis (59%), arthralgia (77%), leg pain (71%), heel pain (41%), and enthesitis (29%) were common complaints. Sacroiliac tenderness was detected in 77%, and M694V mutation in almost 90% of the patients. All patients received colchicine therapy. Additionally, 14 of them were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 10 were on sulfasalazine treatment, and 7 of them were on biological agents. CONCLUSIONS: Sacroiliitis can be seen in patients with FMF during childhood, and M694V mutation seems to be a susceptibility factor for its development. Inflammatory low-back pain and leg and heel pain could suggest sacroiliitis.

[Spondyloarthritides]. / Spondyloarthritiden.

Spondyloarthritides (SpA) are inflammatory rheumatic diseases affecting the axial skeleton, peripheral joints and entheses, and also manifest at extraskeletal sites. According to the more recently introduced nomenclature, predominant axial SpA is distinguished from predominant peripheral SpA. Axial SpA is further divided into radiographic and nonradiographic axial SpA. Genetic factors are relevant, with HLA-B27 being most important. The interleukin 23/17 pathway seems to be relevant and points towards new therapeutic targets. Inflammatory back pain is the leading symptom in axial SpA and has certain characteristics. In addition, HLA-B27 and sacroiliitis on imaging are important for diagnosis. Therapy consists of physiotherapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (first line) and biologicals (second line). Conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are effective only in peripheral arthritis.

Comparison of patients with familial Mediterranean fever accompanied with sacroiliitis and patients with juvenile spondyloarthropathy.

OBJECTIVES: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common autoinflammatory disease manifesting with self-limited recurrent febrile attacks and polyserositis. Acute recurrent monoarthritis is the most common form of musculoskeletal involvement in FMF; however, up to 5% of FMF patients may develop chronic joint diseases including sacroiliitis. It is difficult to distinguish whether sacroiliitis is a musculoskeletal finding of FMF or whether this is the coexistence of two diseases, FMF and SpA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate FMF patients with sacroiliitis, and compare their features with juvenile spondyloarthropathy (SpA) patients, all of whom had sacroiliitis. METHODS: 15 paediatric FMF patients with sacroiliitis and 30 patients with juvenile SpA followed between 2014-2016 at the Department of Paediatric Rheumatology at Hacettepe University, Ankara, were included in the study. RESULTS: The median (min-max) age at diagnosis of sacroiliitis was 11 (7-15) for FMF+sacroiliitis, and 11.5 (7-16) years for juvenile SpA patients. All patients suffered from hip pain and morning stiffness. Only two FMF+sacroiliitis patients had enthesitis, while nearly half of juvenile SpA patients (46.7%) had enthesitis. Four FMF patients suffered from lower back pain, although none of them had spinal involvement. On the other hand, approximately one third of juvenile SpA patients had spinal involvement. The median white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C reactive protein values in FMF+sacroiliitis patients were higher (10.1x103/mm3 vs 7.8x103/mm3, p = 0.002; 41 vs 28 mm/h, p<0.001; 4.6 vs 1.3 mg/dl, p<0.001; respectively) than juvenile SpA patients. HLA B27 positivity was more common in juvenile SpA than FMF+sacroiliitis patients (86.6% vs 26.7%, respectively, p=0.001). The most common MEFV (MEditerranean FeVer) mutation was M694V in FMF patients. All juvenile SpA patients but one were negative for MEFV mutations. One juvenile SpA patient was heterozygous for E148Q. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that paediatric patients with FMF+sacroiliitis showed different characteristics (higher inflammatory markers, less frequent spinal and enthesitis involvement and HLA-B27 positivity) from patients with juvenile SpA. Whether FMF is a triggering factor for SpA or sacroiliitis is a feature of FMF, is still a matter of debate.

Clinical and genetic associations of radiographic sacroiliitis and its different patterns in psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to 1) identify clinical and genetic associations of sacroiliitis (SI) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and 2) describe the different radiographic patterns of SI in PsA and their clinical and genetic associations. METHODS: 283 PsA patients, fulfilling CASPAR criteria, underwent detailed skin and rheumatologic assessments. In addition, HLA-B*27 and B*080101 status was recorded, which have been shown as the key genetic markers of radiographic SI in PsA. Grade 2 Unilateral or bilateral radiographic changes of SI were required for inclusion and involvement was further defined as asymmetrical or symmetrical. RESULTS: 70 patients (25%) had radiographic SI; all either with a present or past history of backache. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant association of SI with peripheral joint erosions (p=0.043), PASI maximum (p=0.041), younger age of PsA onset (p=<0.001), presence of HLA-B*0801 (p=0.002) and only marginal significance with HLA-B*2705 (p=0.059). Asymmetrical SI was noted in 51 patients (73%). In striking contrast to those patients with symmetrical SI, patients with asymmetrical SI were more likely to be female (p=0.04), have a trend towards more severe nail disease (p=0.08) and peripheral joint erosions (p=0.08), more osteolysis (p=0.01), more HLA-B*0801 positivity (p=0.001) and much less HLA-B*270502 positivity (p=<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PsA developing at a younger age, severe skin disease, peripheral joint erosions, and HLA-B*0801 are significantly associated with SI, and there was only a marginal trend towards significance for HLA-B*2705. HLA-B*27 positive Axial-PsA patients resemble AS, while HLA-B*0801 positive Axial-PsA patients have asymmetrical and/or unilateral SI, which are typical of PsA.

No diagnostic utility of antibody patterns against Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular serotypes in patients with axial spondyloarthritis vs. patients with non-specific low back pain: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether antibody response patterns against Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular serotypes can discriminate patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) from patients with non-specific low back pain (LBP). METHOD: Immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA antibodies against K. pneumoniae capsular serotypes K2, K26, K36, and K50 were measured, and antibody seropositivity compared between groups and analysed for patient correlation in five different groups: (a) 96 patients fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axSpA; (b) 38 patients with either a positive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan as defined by ASAS or a positive human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 status plus one clinical SpA feature, characterized as 'non-axSpA'; (c) 82 non-specific LBP patients; (d) 40 healthy blood donors and (e) 43 patients with diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis (AS) served as the negative and positive control groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in IgG and IgA seropositivity against all serotypes between the axSpA, non-axSpA, and LBP groups. No significant correlations were found between anti-Klebsiella antibodies and age, gender, HLA-B27, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). IgG seropositivity against K50 was more frequent in AS (25.6%) than in axSpA (13.5%, p < 0.05). axSpA patients with radiographic sacroiliitis and AS controls concordantly had the highest frequency of seropositivity for ≥ 2 serotypes (21%). CONCLUSIONS: The antibody patterns against K. pneumoniae serotypes K2, K26, K36, and K50 did not discriminate between early axSpA and non-specific LBP.

Associations Between Spondyloarthritis Features and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 1,020 Patients With Persistent Low Back Pain.

OBJECTIVE: The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) has previously published criteria for spondyloarthritis (SpA). In the Spines of Southern Denmark cohort, which included patients with persistent low back pain and an unknown proportion of patients with SpA, our objectives were 1) to estimate the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical features included in the ASAS criteria for SpA and 2) to explore the associations between MRI findings and clinical features. METHODS: We included patients ages 18-40 years with persistent low back pain who had been referred to the Spine Centre of Southern Denmark. We collected information on clinical features (including HLA-B27 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and MRI findings in the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints. RESULTS: Of 1,020 included patients, 537 (53%) had at least 1 of the clinical features included in the ASAS criteria for SpA. Three clinical features were common-inflammatory back pain according to the ASAS criteria, a good response to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and family history of SpA. The prevalence of these features ranged from 15% to 17%. Sacroiliitis on MRI according to the ASAS definition was present in 217 patients (21%). Of those 217 patients, 91 (42%) had the minimum amount of bone marrow edema required according to the ASAS definition (a low bone marrow edema score). The presence of HLA-B27, peripheral arthritis, a good response to NSAIDs, and preceding infection were independently positively associated with MRI findings in the SI joints (odds ratios [ORs] of 1.9-9.0). The remaining 8 clinical features were not positively associated with MRI findings. Importantly, only age was independently associated with low bone marrow edema score at the SI joints (OR of 1.1 per year). CONCLUSION: In this population, 53% had at least 1 clinical feature included in the ASAS criteria for SpA, and 21% had sacroiliitis according to the ASAS definition; furthermore, the associations between the clinical and imaging domains were inconsistent. The results indicate a need for further investigation of the importance of these findings in SpA, including investigation of the minimum requirements for defining sacroiliitis on MRI.

Brief report: the IL23R nonsynonymous polymorphism rs11209026 is associated with radiographic sacroiliitis in spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of inflammatory articular disorders sharing a genetic background. The nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs11209026 (Arg381Gln) in the IL23R gene has reproducibly been shown to be associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We undertook this study to examine the association between rs11209026 and SpA as a whole, with particular attention devoted to genotype/phenotype correlation. METHODS: The SNP rs11209026 was genotyped in a French cohort of 415 patients/372 controls, with replication analysis performed in 383 "trios," each consisting of 1 patient with SpA and both parents. Association analysis was carried out in SpA as a whole group and then separately in AS and non-AS patients. Phenotype/genotype correlations were examined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A significant association between rs11209026 and SpA overall was identified only in the familial data set (odds ratio 0.57, P=0.028). Strong association with AS was observed in both the case-control and familial data sets (P=4.5×10(-4) and P=4.0×10(-3), respectively). In contrast, such association was not detected in the non-AS group. Furthermore, rs11209026 frequency was significantly different between AS and non-AS patients (P=1.5×10(-3)). Phenotype/genotype correlation study revealed that both radiographic sacroiliitis and early age at onset were independently associated with a lower frequency of the rare protective rs11209026 allele A in patients (P=9×10(-3) and P=8×10(-3), respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study replicated the robust association between rs11209026 and AS in the French population. However, such association was restricted to AS, as compared to SpA without radiographic sacroiliitis. The fact that it was independently conditional on radiographic sacroiliitis and age at onset suggests that rs11209026 could affect disease severity rather than susceptibility.

[Frequency of HLA alleles class I and II in a cohort of northwestern Colombian patients with spondyloarthritis]. / Frecuencia de alelos HLA de clase I y II en una cohorte de pacientes con espondiloartritis provenientes del noroccidente colombiano.

INTRODUCTION: Spondyloarthritis is a chronic rheumatic disease that affect the axial skeleton and peripheral joints, along with several extra-articular manifestations. The association with HLA-B27 remains one of the strongest known links between these entities and the major histocompatibility complex. However, the global distribution of HLA-B27 varies considerably and furthermore, associations with non-HLA-B27 genes have been described. OBJECTIVE: The frequency of HLA class I and II was determined in a population of patients with spondyloarthritis with respect to detection in the clinical setting and by radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective study was conducted in 56 patients from northwestern Colombia. Each was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis between 2005 and 2008. In each case, alleles were identified for the loci HLA class I and II (HLA-B; HLADQB1 and HLADRB). The frequency of these alleles in the axial, peripheral, extraarticular and radiological manifestations. RESULTS: The frequency of HLA-B27 was 50% overall, and it was the most frequent allele. The two other alleles were HLA.DRB4*01 at 35.7% and HLA-DQB1*0501 at 28.6%, as detected in each of the clinical and radiological manifestations. A high frequency of HLA-B27 and HLA-DRB4*01 (64.3%) was noted in patients with dactylitis. CONCLUSION: The alleles HLA-B27, HLA-DRB4*01 and HLA-DQB1*0501 were common in the different subtypes of spondyloarthritis and were frequent in the specific clinical axial, peripheral and extraarticular clinical manifestations, as well as radiological sacroiliitis.

Three family members with familial Mediterranean fever carrying the M694V mutation showed different clinical presentations.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serositis. FMF is caused by mutations in the MEFV gene that encodes pyrin/marenostrin. The 5 most frequent mutations are M694V, M694I, V726A, M680I and E148Q. Here, we reported 3 FMF patients, a sister and two brothers, who have the same M694V mutation with different clinical presentations. While the sister presented with abdominal pain, one of the brothers presented with erysipelas-like erythema and the other brother with bilateral sacroiliitis. Here, we report the different clinical courses of FMF in a family carrying the same M694V mutation.

Frecuencia de alelos HLA de clase I y II en una cohorte de pacientes con espondiloartritis provenientes del noroccidente colombiano / Frequency of HLA alleles class I and II in a cohort of northwestern Colombian patients with spondyloarthritis

Introducción. Las espondiloartritis son enfermedades reumatológicas crónicas que afectan el esqueleto axial y las articulaciones periféricas, con varias manifestaciones extraarticulares. La asociación con el HLA-B27 sigue siendo uno de los vínculos más fuertes conocidos entre estas entidades y el complejo mayor de histocompatibilidad; sin embargo, la distribución mundial del HLA-B27 varía considerablemente y se han descrito asociaciones con genes no HLA-B27. Objetivo. Conocer la frecuencia de alelos HLA de clase I y II en pacientes con espondiloartritis provenientes del noroccidente colombiano y su frecuencia en las manifestaciones clínicas y radiológicas específicas. Materiales y métodos. Se condujo un estudio descriptivo, observacional, de corte transversal, retrospectivo y prospectivo entre 2005 y 2008 de 56 pacientes colombianos con espondiloartritis. Se identificaron los alelos correspondientes a los loci HLA de clase I y II (HLA-B, HLADQB1 y HLADRB). Se analizó su frecuencia con las manifestaciones clínicas axiales, periféricas, extraarticulares y radiológicas. Resultados. Se encontró una baja frecuencia de HLA-B27 en la población total (50 %), aunque fue el alelo más frecuente, junto con HLA-DRB4*01 (35,7 %) y HLA-DQB1*0501 (28,6 %), en todos los pacientes en general y en cada una de las manifestaciones clínicas y radiológicas. Se resalta la alta frecuencia de HLA-B27 y HLA-DRB4*01 (64,3 %) en pacientes con dactilitis, hallazgo novedoso sin previa descripción. Conclusión. Los alelos HLA-B27, HLA-DRB4*01 y HLA-DQB1*0501 fueron frecuentes en los diferentes subtipos de espondiloartritis y en las manifestaciones clínicas axiales, periféricas y extraarticulares específicas, además de la sacroiliítis radiológica.

Introduction. Spondyloarthritis is a chronic rheumatic disease that affect the axial skeleton and peripheral joints, along with several extra-articular manifestations. The association with HLA-B27 remains one of the strongest known links between these entities and the major histocompatibility complex. However, the global distribution of HLA-B27 varies considerably and furthermore, associations with non-HLA-B27 genes have been described. Objective. The frequency of HLA class I and II was determined in a population of patients with spondyloarthritis with respect to detection in the clinical setting and by radiology. Materials and methods. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective study was conducted in 56 patients from northwestern Colombia. Each was diagnosed with spondyloarthritis between 2005 and 2008. In each case, alleles were identified for the loci HLA class I and II (HLA-B; HLADQB1 and HLADRB). The frequency of these alleles in the axial, peripheral, extraarticular and radiological manifestations. Results.The frequency of HLA-B27 was 50% overall, and it was the most frequent allele. The two other alleles were HLA.DRB4*01 at 35.7% and HLA-DQB1*0501 at 28.6%, as detected in each of the clinical and radiological manifestations. A high frequency of HLA-B27 and HLA-DRB4*01 (64.3%) was noted in patients with dactylitis. Conclusion. The alleles HLA-B27, HLA-DRB4*01 and HLA-DQB1*0501 were common in the different subtypes of spondyloarthritis and were frequent in the specific clinical axial, peripheral and extraarticular clinical manifestations, as well as radiological sacroiliitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis presented as unilateral optic neuritis in a young woman.

PURPOSE: To report a case of ankylosing spondylitis that initially presented as unilateral optic neuritis. METHODS: Case report. DESIGN: Clinical findings and treatment are presented. A 31-year-old woman presented with unilateral optic neuritis in her right eye. Her symptom improved following pulse steroid therapy. Unfortunately, she developed severe pain and weakness in her bilateral knee and ankle joints during follow-up. Further investigation revealed a positive finding of HLA-B27 and bilateral sacroiliitis. Ankylosing spondylitis was confirmed and was treated with Salazine and Mobic. CONCLUSIONS: Optic neuritis is rarely the first symptom of AS. Careful surveying and prompt treatment is necessary.

Ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause belonging to the group of spondyloarthritides associated with HLA B27. This disease affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, but may also concern peripheral joints and different organs. Symptoms include morning stiffness and dull low back pain, both improving by exercise. AS causes reduction in life expectancy due to subsequent manifestation in different organs, so early diagnosis and treatment are of great importance.