Spondyloarthritis & psoriatic arthritis
Differences in spinal structural lesions between patients with early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and non-axSpA chronic back pain: 2-year SPACE cohort results
Authors' conclusion
Over 2 years, spinal structural damage typical for axSpA progressed minimally on radiography in axSpA and non-axSpA. On MRI, axSpA showed a significant increase in fat lesions, while non-axSpA had no progression.
Study context
- Population
- Patients from the SPACE cohort with early axSpA or non-axSpA chronic back pain and radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 2 yearsradiography 318
- Exposure
- Early axSpA vs non-axSpA chronic back pain
- Outcome
- Spinal structural lesions on radiography (mSASSS) and corner MRI lesions (modified Canada-Denmark scoring system), baseline and 2-year change
- Follow-up
- 2 years
Methodological detailsgeneralized estimating equations adjusted for age, sex, NSAID use and diagnosis
- Generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, sex, NSAID use and diagnosis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
mSASSS at baseline
axSpA
0.6
mean · SD 1.1
non-axSpA
0.6
mean · SD 1.1
- Modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) progression over 2 years minimal in both groups
- 0.01 units/year
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | axSpA | non-axSpA | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRI total structural lesions at baselineMean | 1.4 (SD 2.9) | 0.7 (SD 2) | P = 0.12 |
| MRI fat lesions rate of change · 2 years | 0.16 units/year | −0.02 units/year | |
| P | P = 0.002 | P = 0.70 |
- MRI 2-year increase in structural lesions in axSpA (mainly fat lesions) · 2 years
- 0.5 · SD 1.8
Original publication
Differences in spinal structural lesions between patients with early axSpA and non-axSpA chronic back pain: 2-year SPACE cohort results. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 17 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →