Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology 28 (2014) 661
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology journal homepage: www.elsevierhealth.com/berh
Preface
Amongst all the conditions covered by rheumatology as a specialty, the field of spondyloarthritis has seen some of the biggest advances, along with rheumatoid arthritis, within the last 10 years. These advances span from new classification criteria and new nomenclature to large population-based epidemiological studies; and from new genetic markers to translational research bringing several novel molecules from bench to bedside to treat these conditions. Axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, the two members of the ‘spondyloarthritis’ group have witnessed most of these changes. This issue of ‘Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology’ tries to capture the excitement in the field of spondyloarthritis by presenting these latest developments. The reader will find state-of-the-art information in four scholarly articles on basic science; i.e. the genetics of psoriatic arthritis, the evolving role of the gut microbiome and mechanical stress in the pathogenesis, as well as osteoproliferation in spondyloarthritis. There are three articles of clinical importance on topics ranging from how the concept of spondyloarthritis has evolved over the years, how to assess the disease activity in clinical practice, and how the novel imaging modalities of ultrasound and MRI are helping in diagnosing these patients early and accurately. On the topic of management, the reader will find five articles of practical significance ranging from nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment, management of spondyloarthritis beyond TNF inhibitors, as well as how the adverse effects of TNFi differ in these conditions as opposed to in rheumatoid arthritis. The issue of remission in axial spondyloarthritis e on drugs, drug-free and spontaneous e is also covered in an article. We hope that the reader finds this issue of ‘Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology’ intellectually stimulating, informative and of great practical use. We also hope that the research agenda given at the end of all articles stimulates young investigators to join this exciting field with rapid advances. Atul Deodhar, MD* Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA Filip van den Bosch, MD, PhD University of Ghent, Belgium Corresponding author. Oregon Health & Science University, Division of Arthritis & Rheumatic Diseases (OP09), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. Tel.: +1 503 494 8963; fax: +1 503 494 1022. E-mail address: [email protected] (A. Deodhar)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2014.10.021 1521-6942/© 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology journal homepage: www.elsevierhealth.com/berh
Preface
Amongst all the conditions covered by rheumatology as a specialty, the field of spondyloarthritis has seen some of the biggest advances, along with rheumatoid arthritis, within the last 10 years. These advances span from new classification criteria and new nomenclature to large population-based epidemiological studies; and from new genetic markers to translational research bringing several novel molecules from bench to bedside to treat these conditions. Axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, the two members of the ‘spondyloarthritis’ group have witnessed most of these changes. This issue of ‘Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology’ tries to capture the excitement in the field of spondyloarthritis by presenting these latest developments. The reader will find state-of-the-art information in four scholarly articles on basic science; i.e. the genetics of psoriatic arthritis, the evolving role of the gut microbiome and mechanical stress in the pathogenesis, as well as osteoproliferation in spondyloarthritis. There are three articles of clinical importance on topics ranging from how the concept of spondyloarthritis has evolved over the years, how to assess the disease activity in clinical practice, and how the novel imaging modalities of ultrasound and MRI are helping in diagnosing these patients early and accurately. On the topic of management, the reader will find five articles of practical significance ranging from nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment, management of spondyloarthritis beyond TNF inhibitors, as well as how the adverse effects of TNFi differ in these conditions as opposed to in rheumatoid arthritis. The issue of remission in axial spondyloarthritis e on drugs, drug-free and spontaneous e is also covered in an article. We hope that the reader finds this issue of ‘Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology’ intellectually stimulating, informative and of great practical use. We also hope that the research agenda given at the end of all articles stimulates young investigators to join this exciting field with rapid advances. Atul Deodhar, MD* Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA Filip van den Bosch, MD, PhD University of Ghent, Belgium Corresponding author. Oregon Health & Science University, Division of Arthritis & Rheumatic Diseases (OP09), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. Tel.: +1 503 494 8963; fax: +1 503 494 1022. E-mail address: [email protected] (A. Deodhar)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2014.10.021 1521-6942/© 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
