Recognizing axial spondyloarthritis

The global aim of the studies described in this thesis was to increase the recognition of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). Recognition in its two definitions: both acknowledgement and identification of the disease. In Part I, we focus on the recognition of the disease burden of axial SpA, focusing on extra-articular (uveitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease) and peripheral (arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis) manifestations. In Part II, we aim to improve early recognition of the diagnosis of axial SpA in individuals with back pain by identifying and validating novel biomarkers. These include imaging (sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging), antibodies (anti-CD74) and a major histocompatibility complex class I gene (HLA-C*07). In Part III, we intend to recognize the early disease processes by assessing the preclinical phase of axial SpA in a cohort of seemingly healthy first-degree relatives of HLA-B*27 positive ankylosing spondylitis patients.