Spondyloarthropathies

Symptoms

As Spondyloarthropathies covers a wide range of arthritic conditions that affect the joints, the symptom will vary depending on the type of spondyloarthritis. Some of the most common symptoms associated with the condition include the following:

Lower back pain is the most prominent symptom and is usually the first to surface
Spine mobility progressively deteriorates due to eventual fusion of the vertebrae
In case of peripheral spondyloarthritis, swelling is likely to be observed in the arms and legs, but this is rather uncommon
Patients may experience bouts of joint inflammation
Joint inflammation is often accompanied by fatigue

Causes

The precise causes of spondyloarthropathies remain unknown to date, but some are associated with specific genes, such as the HLA-B27 in the case of ankylosing spondylitis. Although the gene itself is not responsible for spondyloarthritic conditions, it is associated with an increased risk. Researchers are still investigating the relationship of genetics in the development of spondyloarthropathies. Some studies also point towards a connection between imbalances in gut flora and inflammatory disease. Reactive arthritis is the only exception since it is caused by a bacterial infection, typically involving a food-borne of chlamydia infection.

Spondyloarthropathies