Purpose of review: The history of ankylosing spondylitis, the main representative of the spondyloarthritides, is dating back to several thousand years BC and recently proven for medieval skeleton by HLA-B27 typing with modern molecular techniques. In modern time, the history of spondyloarthritis (SpA) is characterized by fluctuation between lumping and splitting. Actually, the recent advent of new classification criteria demands to discuss the consequences and clinical implications in the historical context of the development of the concept of SpA including the controversy of lumping and splitting.
Recent findings: The new Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for axial and peripheral SpA are primarily developed to provide support for clinical trials with biologicals and other treatment modalities, which intend to cover the whole spectrum, especially early clinical manifestations of spondyloarthritides. New insights into genetics and the evolving etiological role of Chlamydia in SpA including the most recent finding of the effective combination antibiotic therapy are major advances in the evolving history of SpA.
Summary: The concept of SpA is well accepted for the classification, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of a high proportion of individuals with inflammatory rheumatic conditions. For further advances research technologies are now available to enlarge the current body of clinical, immunologic, and genetic studies using pivotal microbiologic research and new antimicrobial therapeutic strategies.