Is Your Persistent Back Pain Due to Sponyloarthritis?

Are you experiencing back pain that just won't go away? A new study shows that persistent back pain could be more than a simple strain, it could be a condition called spondyloarthritis. Sponyloarthritis is a relatively common and under-recognized cause of chronic back pain that doesn't respond to the usual treatment of stretching exercises, heat, physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications - and it's one that can have more serious complications.

What is Spondyloarthritis?

Spondyloarthritis is a group of inflammatory conditions that affects the spinal column, ligaments and tendons. In addition to the pain, people with spondyloarthritis can have other symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, skin rash, fatigue and inflammation of the eyes, lungs or heart valves. Sponyloarthritis is more common in men, particularly younger men. For this reason, any man with the pain should be aware of the possibility of spondyloarthritis.

Persistent Back Pain and Spondyloarthritis

According to a new study presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting, spondyloarthritis is a cause of chronic back pain that doctors often miss. When researchers looked at 364 people with persistent back pain, 22% of them had a clinical picture consistent with spondyloarthritis when examined by a rheumatologist - based on an MRI scan and lab studies.

In people with spondyolarthritis, lab studies may be abnormal including a high C-reactive protein level and a blood test for a gene called HLA-B27, which increases the risk of this condition. MRI studies are also helpful for making the diagnosis.

Why is This Important?

Some doctors and other health care providers may be treating sponyloarthritis as "just another back strain". The problem is people with sponyloarthritis can have other complications such as eye or heart valve inflammation, osteoporosis, and psoriasis, which need treatment. Spondyloarthritis is most common in young adult males. For this reason, all young men who have that back pain that lasts more than a few months should be evaluated, preferably by a rheumatologist, especially if there's a history of it in the family.

The Bottom Line

The pain may be more than just a strain or a "pulled muscle". It could be spondyloarthritis. If you have back pain that just won't go away, see a rheumatologist.