Remission in axial spondyloarthritis: Developing a consensus definition

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Disease Management

Background:

• Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) management requires standardized tools for disease activity assessment.
• Defining remission in axSpA is crucial for guiding treatment goals and evaluating patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve consensus on evaluating disease activity in axSpA patients.
• To establish a consensus definition for remission in axSpA.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi method was employed, involving two rounds of evaluation by rheumatologists.
• A scientific committee proposed statements on axSpA assessment and remission criteria.

Main Results:

• Agreement was reached on 72% of proposed items by 81 rheumatologists.
• The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) was identified as the preferred tool for assessing disease activity.
• A proposal for clinical remission in axSpA was developed, incorporating ASDAS, absence of specific manifestations, and normal inflammatory markers.

Conclusions:

• Consensus recommendations for axSpA management have been established.
• A practical definition of clinical remission in axSpA is proposed, aiding clinical decision-making.