ACR issues treatment guidelines for ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

The American College of Rheumatology has issued new recommendation for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment approaches are explored in the guidelines, including the use of certain surgeries, the role of comorbidities, rehabilitation and patient monitoring.

“The [American College of Rheumatology] ACR’s primary objective was to provide recommendations on optimal treatment for patients with [ankylosing spondylitis] AS and non-radiographic axial [spondyloarthritis] SpA that were based on quality evidence and took into consideration patient values and preferences,” Michael Ward, MD, MPH, an investigator for the National Institutes of Health who served as principal investigator for the guideline project, stated in an ACR press release. “While the guideline does not cover all aspects of spondyloarthritis management, it provides a foundation based on the current best available evidence.”

The Grading of Recommendations and Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to develop the guidelines and includes the specification of patients groups, interventions, competing treatment alternative and outcomes and the balance of benefits vs. harms and patient preferences regarding treatment options.

The treatment recommendations are divided into five groups:

pharmacologic and rehabilitation recommendations for patients with active AS;

pharmacologic and rehabilitation recommendations for patients with stable AS;

recommendations for patients with either active or stable AS;

recommendations for patients with AS and specific impairments and comorbidities, such as hip arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease; patients with nonradiographic AS; and

education and preventative care recommendations.

The guidelines were developed in a partnership between the American College of Rheumatology, the Spondylitis Association of America and the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network.

Reference: www.rheumatology.org