Spondyloarthropathies:what they are and how we treat them ?

Spondyloarthropathies are a group of inflammatory diseases, usually chronic. With this name are included ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis or arthritis that are associated with diseases of the intestine (Cronh and Ulcerative Colitis).

These pathologies present common characteristics, as are the usual inflammation of the segments of the spine (lumbar, dorsal and cervical), or of the sacroiliac (what is called sacroileitis) or of other joints, such as knees, shoulders or hips and of some areas of union of a tendon or ligament with structures to the bone (enthesitis).

Another factor they have in common is a strong family association and a gene called HLA B27. These diseases also tend to affect structures outside the locomotor system, such as skin, intestine or eyes (uveitis).

Diagnosis

These diseases usually start from young or middle age, even in children. It is rare to appear if the patient has already reached adulthood. Symptoms include pain in the lumbar or gluteal area, pain and inflammation in joints and back pain different from that attributed to other types of more frequent problems, such as osteoarthritis or hernias.

In some cases, the first manifestation of the disease is inflammation of other organs, such as the eye (uveitis), in which there is a very intense and usually painful ocular reddening.. The diagnosis should be made by a medical specialist in rheumatology and is done by adding a series of data obtained from the clinical history, physical examination, analysis and imaging tests such as radiographs or resonances.

Treatment

To treat the disease are used primarily anti-inflammatory and, depending on the response to them and the location, other types of drugs or biological therapies are used.

It is essential to combine these treatments with the practice of directed exercise and advised by a professional. In this way, we try to minimize the rigidity and limitation of mobility that, in severe cases, could occur.

There are also healthy attitudes and habits of life that can clearly improve the prognosis of the disease, in addition to the practice of exercise, such as smoking abstinence and maintaining a heart-healthy diet.