Spondyloarthritis in North Africa: an update

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) has been less well studied than rheumatoid arthritis in North Africa, due to a belief that it is rare and benign in certain populations. The main genetic trait of SpA is its association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27. The distribution of this allele largely explains the prevalence and severity of SpA. The prevalence of HLA-B27 in the general population of North Africa is estimated at about 4%, and rises to about 60% among people affected with SpA. Coxitis is one of the main features of North African SpA, but the response to treatment is comparable to the literature from the West. The major challenge in North Africa remains accessibility to specialized care and means of early diagnosis. Prevalent infections in North Africa do not seem to be a major obstacle to optimal treatment strategies.