A study published in the Oxford Journal Rheumatology looked at the usefulness of clinical screening to help diagnose early spondylitis in patients younger than 45 years old.

The results of the study showed that "Spontaneous awakening night pain, the presence of Calin's criteria for IBP and tenderness of the SI joints (SIJs) were independently associated with SpA."

The study therefore concluded that, "clinical symptoms such as spontaneous awakening night pain, cervical pain and tenderness of the [sacroiliac joints] on clinical examination appear useful in screening younger patients with back pain for early SpA."

You can read the study abstract by clicking here.

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