The evolution of spondyloarthropathies in relation to gut histology. III. Relation between gut and joint.

Abstract

This study demonstrates the close relationship between gut and locomotor inflammation in SpA. Clinical remission was always associated with normal gut histology, whereas active locomotor inflammation was usually associated with the presence of gut inflammation. Absence of gut inflammation in the SpA is a good prognostic indicator, since gut inflammation or IBD never develops in these patients. Evolution of non-AS-SpA to full blown AS or of uncomplicated SpA to a form of IBD was always associated with gut inflammation at disease onset.