When ankylosing spondylitis begins, it is rare to see involvement of the sacroiliac joints on an x-ray, thus making early diagnosis difficult. A study entitled, "The early disease stage in axial spondylarthritis: Results from the german spondyloarthritis inception cohort" examined whether patients without confirmed sacroiliitis on an x-ray are different from patients with ankylosing spondylitis with SI involvement in terms of other symptoms and "disease activity measures."

The study found that, "the 2 groups did not differ in the frequency of HLA-B27 positivity, inflammatory back pain, arthritis, enthesitis, and uveitis and had similar levels of disease activity, using measures such as the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index."

Thus, even without SI involvement, doctors can look for other signs and symptoms to help in making a diagnosis.

To read the study abstract, click here.

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