Abstract
Diagnosing the spondyloarthropathies--chronic inflammatory diseases of the spine and peripheral joints that share several distinctive features--is challenging and depends on careful evaluation of the history, physical examination, and radiographs. The recent use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors is exciting and may represent true disease-modifying drugs for these conditions.
MeSH terms
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Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
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Back Pain / etiology
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Blood Sedimentation
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C-Reactive Protein
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Humans
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Spondylarthropathies / complications
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Spondylarthropathies / diagnosis*
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Spondylarthropathies / drug therapy
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Spondylarthropathies / epidemiology
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Sulfasalazine / therapeutic use
Substances
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Antirheumatic Agents
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Sulfasalazine
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C-Reactive Protein