Session Information
Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)
Background/Purpose:
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), considered the result of increased processing of pain by the central nervous system, is a non-inflammatory condition characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness.
Axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is the hallmark of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory joint disease primarily involving the sacroiliac joints and axial spine. Although FMS and axial SpA differ vastly in their pathogenesis, a considerable clinical overlap may exist between these conditions. Chronic nocturnal back pain and disturbed sleep may accompany either condition. We have previously described an increased prevalence of (secondary) FMS among female AS patients. The Assessment of Spondylo-Arthritis international Society (ASAS) has published updated classification criteria for axial SpA. These criteria are based on the evaluation of patients suffering from chronic back pain with an age of onset of less than 45.
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of axial SpA among FMS patients, utilizing the 2010 ASAS criteria (1).
Methods: Patients suffering from FMS (ACR 1990 classification criteria) were recruited consecutively from a specialized FMS clinic. Patients were interviewed regarding the presence of SpA features, as defined by the ASAS group (Inflammatory back pain, arthritis, enthesitis, uveitis, dactylitis, psoriasis, Crohn’s / colitis, good response to NSAIDSs, family history of SpA) and underwent HLA-B27 testing and CRP measurement. MRI examinations of the sacro-iliac joints were performed on a 1.5 T MRI unit using semicoronal T1-weighted, STIR and FSPGR pre- and post-contrast injection sequences. FMS severity was assessed by the FIQ and SF-36 questionnaires and physical examination of the tender points using a dolorimeter. SpA symptom severity was assessed by the BASDAI questionnaire
Results:
61unselected patients were recruited and MRI results were available for 56.
Table 1 summarizes MRI findings, HLA-B27 results and ASAS criteria positivity among FMS patients (N=56):
|
Sacroiliitis (2) |
Erosions |
Sub-chondral sclerosis |
Fatty replacement |
HLA-B27 |
ASAS criteria positive |
|
4 (7.1%) |
11 (19.6%) |
12 (21.4%) |
4 (7.1%) |
3(5.4%) |
4(7.1%) |
Sacroiliitis, based on ASAS definition (2), was found among 4 patients, 3 of which fulfilled ASAS SpA criteria. One additional patient fulfilled SpA criteria based on HLA-B27 positivity and additional SpA features.
Conclusion:
Imaging changes suggestive of inflammatory SpA were common among patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of FMS. Definite sacroiliitis and ASAS criteria SpA positivity were diagnosed among 7.1% of patients and additional changes typical of SpA were frequent. These findings suggest that FMS may mask an underlying SpA, a diagnosis with important therapeutic implications. Thus, physicians involved in the management of FMS should remain vigilant to the possibility of underlying inflammatory disorders and actively search for such co-morbidities.
Ref.
1. Sieper J et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:8(Suppl II):ii1–ii44
2. Rudwaleit M et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2009; 68(10):1520
Disclosure:
J. N. Ablin,
Pfizer Inc,
8;
I. Eshed,
None;
V. Aloush,
None;
I. Wigler,
None;
D. Caspi,
None;
M. Likhter,
None;
M. Berman,
None;
Y. Wolman,
None;
D. Paran,
None;
M. Anouk,
None;
O. Elkayam,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/frequency-of-axial-spondyloarthropathy-among-patients-suffering-from-fibromyalgia-a-magnetic-resonance-immaging-study-with-application-of-the-assessment-of-spondylo-arthritis-international/