[Early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis]

Spondyloarthritides are chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases which affect the axial skeleton and/or peripheral joints and have a strong association with HLA-B27 antigen. According to the prevailing symptoms spondyloarthritis can be further divided into predominantly axial or peripheral form.This disease can gradually destroy affected joints with increasing delay between the onset of first symptoms and treatment commencement, therefore early diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Thus, we need to create simple reference strategies to enable primary care physicians effectively identify and refer these patients to a rheumatologist. Based on published data the most appropriate strategy for axial spondyloarthritis seems to be The Berlin algorithm. We do not have any clear recommendations for early referral for peripheral spondyloarthritis to date. However, patients in an increased risk of psoriatic arthritis can be detected by using the valid questionnaire for patients with psoriasis.