rss
Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:ii1-ii44 doi:10.1136/ard.2008.104018
  • Supplement

The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) handbook: a guide to assess spondyloarthritis

  1. J Sieper1,
  2. M Rudwaleit1,
  3. X Baraliakos2,
  4. J Brandt3,
  5. J Braun2,
  6. R Burgos-Vargas4,
  7. M Dougados5,
  8. K-G Hermann6,
  9. R Landewé7,
  10. W Maksymowych8,
  11. D van der Heijde9
  1. 1
    Rheumatology, Medizinische Klinik I, Charité – Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
  2. 2
    Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany
  3. 3
    Rheumatology Private Practice, Berlin, Germany
  4. 4
    University of Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico
  5. 5
    Hospital Cochin, Paris, France
  6. 6
    Radiology, Charité – Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
  7. 7
    Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
  8. 8
    University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  9. 9
    Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
  1. J Sieper, Charité – Campus Benjamin Franklin, Rheumatology, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany; joachim.sieper{at}charite.de
  • Accepted 6 March 2009

Abstract

The field of spondyloarthritis (SpA) has experienced major progress in the last decade, especially with regard to new treatments, earlier diagnosis, imaging technology and a better definition of outcome parameters for clinical trials. In the present work, the Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) provides a comprehensive handbook on the most relevant aspects for the assessments of spondyloarthritis, covering classification criteria, MRI and x rays for sacroiliac joints and the spine, a complete set of all measurements relevant for clinical trials and international recommendations for the management of SpA. The handbook focuses at this time on axial SpA, with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) being the prototype disease, for which recent progress has been faster than in peripheral SpA. The target audience includes rheumatologists, trial methodologists and any doctor and/or medical student interested in SpA. The focus of this handbook is on practicality, with many examples of MRI and x ray images, which will help to standardise not only patient care but also the design of clinical studies.

Footnotes

  • None declared.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.