A single-center experience: Enteropathic arthritis in inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

Aim of the work

To ascertain the frequency of enteropathic arthritis among patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to investigate the relation between spondyloarthritis (SpA) and patients treated for IBD.

Patients and methods

This study examined 124 adult patients with IBD. The evaluation encompassed both axial and peripheral SpA. Information pertaining to the patients’ age, gender, age at the time of IBD and SpA diagnosis, symptoms of inflammatory low back pain (iLBP), dactylitis, peripheral arthritis, history of uveitis, pelvic X-ray, sacroiliac joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ankylosing spondylitis disease actviity score (ASDAS) and Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease actvity index (BASDAI) were compiled.

Results

The IBD patients were 82 having ulcerative colitis (UC) and 42 Crohns disease (CD). 58 (46.8 %) were female and 66 (53.2 %) males. 36 (29 %) were diagnosed with SpA, 18 males and 18 females. The age of the patients was 49 ± 11.2 years (18–74 years). The duration of IBD was 5.96 ± 5.54 years (1–29 years). Sacroiliitis was assessed in 60 (48.3 %) patients using MRI. None of the patients had psoriasis or uveitis. Dactylitis was present in 1.6 % and enthesitis in 8 % of patients with IBD. In UC group, 18 (21.9 %) were diagnosed with SpA and in CD group, 18 (42.8 %) had SpA. No significant relationship was found between the diagnosis of UC/CD and the general SpA group.

Conclusion

A considerable number of individuals with IBD also experience SpA. Any delay in diagnosing enteropathic arthritis could lead to functional limitations. Therefore, timely diagnosis is crucial to facilitate optimal treatment.