How to define remission in ankylosing spondylitis?

摘要

The new term axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) covers both patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) according to the modified New York criteria, for which the presence of radiographic sacroiliitis is mandatory, and patients with non-radiographic axial disease. The latter group can be defined either by the presence of active inflammatory sacroiliitis on MRI or by the presence of clinical parameters in addition to a positive human leucocyte antigen-B27 testing. This classification according to the new 'Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society' (ASAS) criteria1 allows an earlier diagnosis of these patients before chronic changes visible by x-ray examination have already occurred. The question of remission should therefore be discussed for the whole group of patients with axial SpA, especially because remission might be reached more easily if patients are treated earlier.