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First-degree relatives of patients with HLA-B27+ ankylosing spondylitis may have undetected disease
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First-degree relatives of patients with HLA-B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis were more likely to have undetected symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis that may progress over time, according to results of a study.
Fifty-one first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were included in an ongoing, prospective study. Back pain was reported by 59% FDRs, 18% of whom had inflammatory back pain. Peripheral arthritis or enthesitis was not detected in any participant, but a history of arthralgia was reported by 39%, and a tender joint count of one or more was present in 16%. Low-grade sacroiliitis was observed on X-ray in 6% of FDRs, and cervical syndesmophytes were observed on X-ray in one person. Bone marrow edema was seen in the sacroiliac joint in 22% of the FDRs, but none had spinal deformities on MRI, according to the researchers.
Of the 51 FDRs, 13 fulfilled any criteria, nine fulfilled the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society axial spondyloarthritis (ASAS axSpA) criteria, 10 met European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria and six fulfilled both the ASAS axSpA and ESSG criteria. More frequent back and inflammatory back pain and higher disease activity were observed in FDRs who met any AS criteria, but no differences were seen in inflammatory markers, peripheral and extra-articular disease or HLA-B27 status. Six of the FDRs who did not meet any criteria had abnormalities observed on imaging that may be consistent with SpA, according to the researchers. – by Shirley Pulawski
Reference:
Turina MC, et al. Paper #SAT0278. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology; June 10-13, 2015; Rome.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.