Date of Presentation

5-5-2022 12:00 AM

College

School of Osteopathic Medicine

Poster Abstract

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis axSpA ) or typical ankylosing spondyloarthritis (AS) is a classification of axial spondyloarthritis with the classic radiographic features of sacroiliitis. Axial spondyloarthritis is a disabling spondyloarthropathy of the spine that presents with chronic back pain usually before the age of 45. It may be associated with extraspinal features including dactylitis , synovitis, and enthesitis in addition to other nonarticular signs. Chronic back pain is one of the most common presenting symptoms for AS , but frequently there is a 5-7 year delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of the disease . A standard AP plain radiograph demonstrating changes to the sacroiliac joint including erosions, ankylosis or sclerosis along with the patient’s complaints of chronic back pain are strong indicators for AS.

We present a case of an atypical presentation of AS in a patient with recently diagnosed asthma and no other past medical history who had a 40 pound rapid (4 month) weight loss and polyarticular joint pain. Our case is unusual due to the short time course between presenting symptoms and time to diagnosis.

Keywords

Axial Spondyloarthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Back Pain, Arthralgia, Case Reports

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Musculoskeletal Diseases | Orthopedics | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Radiology

Document Type

Poster

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May 5th, 12:00 AM

Atypical Presentation of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis axSpA ) or typical ankylosing spondyloarthritis (AS) is a classification of axial spondyloarthritis with the classic radiographic features of sacroiliitis. Axial spondyloarthritis is a disabling spondyloarthropathy of the spine that presents with chronic back pain usually before the age of 45. It may be associated with extraspinal features including dactylitis , synovitis, and enthesitis in addition to other nonarticular signs. Chronic back pain is one of the most common presenting symptoms for AS , but frequently there is a 5-7 year delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of the disease . A standard AP plain radiograph demonstrating changes to the sacroiliac joint including erosions, ankylosis or sclerosis along with the patient’s complaints of chronic back pain are strong indicators for AS.

We present a case of an atypical presentation of AS in a patient with recently diagnosed asthma and no other past medical history who had a 40 pound rapid (4 month) weight loss and polyarticular joint pain. Our case is unusual due to the short time course between presenting symptoms and time to diagnosis.

 

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