spondyloarthropathy

Spondyloarthropathies are a group of conditions that primarily affect the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing inflammation and pain. Key types include ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease. A common characteristic is enthesitis, which is inflammation where tendons or ligaments attach to bone. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies are not linked to elevated rheumatoid factor levels in the blood. These conditions are more prevalent in males and are often associated with a specific genetic marker, HLA-B27. Back pain that lessens with activity is a typical symptom.12