In Italy alone, there are about 200 thousand people suffering from spondyloarthritis, a chronic inflammatory joint disease. The disease affects both men and women, although it appears to progress faster in men. It can arise before the age of 40 and the first alarm bells not to be underestimated, we find joint pain and stiffness, back pain, limitations in movements and problems of the spine, pelvis or neck.
“It is a disease that can occur at a young age, and that affects men to a greater extent, also involving women”, underlines Gilda Sandri, rheumatologist at the AOU Policlinico di Modena and former Vice President of CReI. “Among the forms associated with spondyloarthritis, in addition to psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, another affected organ is the eye. If not treated properly, it can even lead to a loss. For this reason, collaboration between rheumatologists and ophthalmologists is also important. The most common alarm bell is the onset of uveitis, inflammation of an area of the pigmented mucosa inside the eye », continues Gilda Sandri.
The signs not to be underestimated
What are the alarm bells not to be underestimated? “There are some very important clinical manifestations that at the onset can be a wake-up call. An example could be: a boy with low back pain, that is, with back pain, which occurs mainly in the morning, with pain and stiffness present upon awakening, with consequent fatigue for the patient in getting out of bed. Condition that improves, until it disappears during the hours of the day. As in the case of ocular manifestation and joint inflammation, or effusions in a knee, or swelling of a wrist. Another condition that should not be underestimated and which requires a consultation with a rheumatologist are the so-called sausage fingers which can be at the level of the hands or feet », continues Gilda Sandri.
Advice
Advice? «It will be the rheumatologist of reference to give the right advice, after having made a visit. For this reason, it is important to promote the figure of the rheumatologist, because the therapies are there, and they are effective. Finally, it is right to maintain a healthy lifestyle, carrying out daily physical activity commensurate with the needs of the individual, a panacea for improving joint function », concludes Gilda Sandri.