Assessing and understanding outcome in spondyloarthritis

This dissertation examines how spondyloarthritis (SpA) manifests itself and how patients experience this condition. SpA is a group of rheumatological conditions that involve the back and/or pelvis and leads to inflammation of the joints and/or tendons. This study found that pain is the most important health concern for patients with SpA.
It also found that extra-articular manifestations (EAMs or rheumatoid nodules) occur more frequently in patients with SpA than in the general population; however, it is difficult to predict which patients will develop an EAM. If a patient does develop an EAM, it will not influence the long-term outcome. Rheumatologists should be alert to the development of ischemic heart disease in patients with SpA.

Finally, the disease has also been associated with long-term gender differences; while X-rays in male patients show more visible damage, female patients experience decreased quality of life. This information is important for both clinical practice and research.