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Gut inflammation and spondyloarthropathies
Filip De Keyser1, Dominique Baeten, Filip Van den Bosch
1Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent B-9000, Belgium. filip.dekeyser@rug.ac.be
Current Rheumatology Reports
|November 13, 2002
Summary
Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) share gut inflammation with Crohn's disease, supported by molecular evidence. This link informs new therapies like anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha for SpA patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) encompass related disorders like ankylosing spondylitis.
- A significant link exists between gut inflammation and SpA, with two-thirds showing histologic gut inflammation.
- Some patients with undifferentiated SpA progress to Crohn's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence linking SpA gut inflammation to Crohn's disease immunologically.
- To discuss therapeutic implications arising from the SpA-Crohn's disease connection.
Main Methods:
- Molecular characterization of inflammation in SpA gut.
- Analysis of lymphocyte homing markers, T cell cytokines, macrophage markers, and serology.
- Review of therapeutic strategies, including anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy.
Main Results:
- Growing evidence supports an immunological relationship between SpA gut inflammation and Crohn's disease.
- Molecular data (markers, cytokines, serology) underpin this connection.
- Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy is a key treatment informed by this concept.
Conclusions:
- Gut inflammation in SpA is immunologically linked to Crohn's disease.
- Understanding this link has direct therapeutic implications for SpA management.
- Targeting shared inflammatory pathways offers effective treatment options for SpA.