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The European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG)
Classification for Spondyloarthropathy (SpA)
According to the ESSG criteria, for a
patient to be classified as having SpA, he or she has to
satisfy one of two entry criteria: Inflammatory spinal
pain OR synovitis that is either asymmetric or
predominantly in the lower limbs.
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Onset of back discomfort before the
age of 40 years
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Insidious onset
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Persistence for at least three
months
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Associated with morning stiffness
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Improvement with exercise
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Asymmetrical synovitis:
Asymmetrical synovitis, predominantly of the lower
limbs is manifested by soft tissue swelling, warmth
over a joint, joint effusion, and reductions in both
active and passive range of motion. As with
inflammatory spinal pain, the symptoms are worse after
a period of rest.
Additional criteria:
If a patient has one or
both of the entry criteria listed above, he or she
should then be evaluated for the presence of one or more
of the following features:
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Positive family history
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Psoriasis
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Inflammatory bowel disease
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Urethritis, cervicitis, or acute
diarrhea within one month before arthritis
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Buttock pain alternating between
buttocks
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Enthesopathy
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Plain film radiographic evidence of
sacroiliitis
Importantly, blood tests, including
an assessment for the presence of HLA-B27, are not part
of the ESSG criteria; in addition, only the sacroiliac
joints need to be evaluated radiographically.
References:
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Gomariz
EM, del M, Guijo VP, Contreras AE,
Villanueva M, Estévez EC.
The potential of ESSG
spondyloarthropathy classification criteria
as a diagnostic aid in rheumatological
practice. J Rheumatol. 2002
Feb;29(2):326-30.
[Medline]
Created: Apr 28, 2008
Last Modified:
04/27/2008 |
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