A Comparison of Patients With Spondyloarthropathy Seen in Specialty Clinics With Those Identified in a Communitywide Epidemiologic Study

Abstract

The diagnosis of Spa was missed more often than not in the primary care setting, probably because most of the cases were of mild or moderate severity and did not fit the classic descriptions of spondyloarthropathic disorders. The higher proportion of men among the specialty clinic cases probably reflects provider expectation as well as a slightly milder disease course in women.