R-axSpA & Spinal Health: Risk Factors Revealed
A recent study pinpoints critical risk factors for spinal deterioration in r-axSpA patients, offering crucial insights into disease progression. Researchers discovered that increased C-reactive protein levels and obesity significantly predict spinal ankylosis.Moreover,the study,focusing on spinal deterioration,revealed sex-specific predictors,including smoking and the HLA-B27 gene for men,and higher mSASSS scores and certain medications for women. Modifiable risks like smoking and BMI over 25 were also highlighted. This research, presented at the EULAR 2025 congress, underscores the role of inflammation. News Directory 3 brings you this essential overview. Explore the complexities of managing r-axSpA and its impact. Discover what’s next …
Study Identifies Risk Factors for Spinal Deterioration in r-axSpA
Barcelona—New research presented at the EULAR 2025 congress reveals potential predictors for spinal progression in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA). The axial spondyloarthritis, or axSpA, is a chronic, inflammatory, rheumatic, musculoskeletal disease affecting the axial skeleton.
The longitudinal study, which followed 176 r-axSpA patients over 13 years, identified several factors associated with increased spinal ankylosis. Anna Deminger, the study’s lead author, noted that spinal bone formation progressed slowly but steadily over the study period.
The study, using the modified Stoke AS Spinal Score (mSASSS) to grade spinal radiographs, found that higher C-reactive protein levels and being overweight or obese were critically importent predictors of progression in both sexes.In women, a higher mSASSS at the start of the follow-up period and exposure to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (tnfi) or bisphosphonates were linked to progression. For men, smoking and carrying the HLA-B27 gene were significant predictors.
Deminger emphasized the importance of inflammation as a negative prognostic marker for spinal radiographic progression. The study also highlighted modifiable risk factors such as smoking and a body mass index over 25.
The research underscores the need for further investigation into the higher risk of spinal radiographic progression observed in women exposed to TNFi or bisphosphonates. The study on spinal deterioration offers insights into managing r-axSpA.