Spondyloarthritis & psoriatic arthritis
Can we identify axial spondyloarthritis among young adults referred to non-rheumatology specialists? Results from the SHERPAS study
Authors' conclusion
In our cohort of young adults with CBP referred to non-rheumatology specialists, approximately 8 % were diagnosed with definite or suspected axSpA. MRI spinal lesions were reported in most patients, while SIJ findings were reported in one out of three patients.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 18–40 years with chronic back pain (CBP) referred for spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by non-rheumatology specialists; spinal MRI extended to sacroiliac joints (SIJ); July 2021 to October 2023
- Participants
- 268 adults
- Exposure
- Definite or suspected axSpA vs no axSpA
- Outcome
- Prevalence of axSpA diagnosis, established by a rheumatologist
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
axSpA diagnosis (prevalence)
Definite axSpA
8
3.0 %
Suspected axSpA
14
5.2 %
Definite or suspected axSpA
8.2 %
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Buttock pain
P = 0.04
Improvement with NSAIDs
P = 0.02
HLA-B27 positivity
P < 0.01
Elevated CRP
P = 0.01
Symptom duration (shorter in axSpA)
P = 0.02
MRI findings
- Spinal degenerative lesions in most patients
- SIJ abnormalities in almost one third, more common in axSpA
Original publication
Can we identify axial spondyloarthritis among young adults referred to non-rheumatology specialists? Results from the SHERPAS study. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 7 July 2025. doi:10.
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