[Early axial spondyloarthritis. Diagnostic approach and screening]

The diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is often delayed by 5-10 years after the first symptoms have appeared. In order to improve the early diagnosis of SpA an evidenced-based algorithm including clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters was developed. Moreover, the recently published ASAS criteria for axial and peripheral SpA should give rheumatologists more confidence in making the diagnosis of SpA and provide further support for the SpA concept. Furthermore, an easy strategy for the recognition of patients with a high probability of AS/SpA on the primary care level has been developed and recently validated.