Introduction to Spondyloarthritis (SpA) and Associated Conditions
Peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) includes psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated arthritis, reactive arthritis and undifferentiated peripheral SpA. These South African guidelines offer information on diagnosis, assessment and therapy of peripheral SpA. Emphasis is placed on a multidisciplinary team, and a treat-to-target strategy with escalation of therapy i
| Peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) includes psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated arthritis, reactive arthritis and undifferentiated peripheral SpA. These South African guidelines offer information on diagnosis, assessment and therapy of peripheral SpA. Emphasis is placed on a multidisciplinary team, and a treat-to-target strategy with escalation of therapy if the target of minimal or very low disease activity is achieved. Screening for and treatment of comorbidities are paramount. |
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an umbrella term that includes various inflammatory joint diseases affecting the axial spine as well as peripheral joints (Fig. 1).[1] These guidelines pertain to psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated arthritis, reactive arthritis and undifferentiated peripheral SpA, and are to be used in conjunction with guidelines for the management of axial SpA and guidelines for the use of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Fig. 1. Disorders that comprise the family of spondyloarthritides (reproduced with permission).[1] (SpA = spondyloarthritis; IBD = inflammatory bowel disease.)
Benitha, R., Maharaj, A. B., Makan, K., Potts, J., Lai, A., Carter, R., van Dam, M., & Hodkinson, B. (2024). South African Rheumatism and Arthritis Association 2024 guidelines for the management of peripheral spondyloarthritis. South African Medical Journal, 114(10), e2669.