Seronegative Spondyloarthritis
Seronegative spondyloarthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints and the entheses, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness.
About Seronegative Spondyloarthritis
Seronegative spondyloarthritis is an umbrella term for autoimmune, inflammatory diseases that involve both the joints and the entheses (the sites where the ligaments and tendons attach to the bones). Ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease-associated inflammatory arthritis, and reactive arthritis all fall under this umbrella. These conditions are “seronegative” because laboratory evaluation (blood tests) for common causes of joint pain yields negative results. There may be autoimmune attack on the sacroiliac joints and vertebra resulting in back pain and stiffness that improve with activity. There may be autoimmune attack on joints in the periphery (hands, feet, shoulders, etc), resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness. There may be dactylitis (inflammation of an entire finger/toe), enthesitis (inflammation of tendon/ligament insertion sites on bones), or uveitis (inflammation of the inside part of the eye).
Treating Seronegative Spondyloarthritis at UT Medicine
The seronegative spondyloarthritides are chronic conditions that do not yet have a cure, but we live in a day in age in which we have many different FDA-approved therapies to bring disease under control. The mainstay of treatment is immunosuppressive therapy. These drugs modulate the immune system in a variety of ways to stop autoimmune attack on joints. Physical therapy and diet/exercise may also play important roles in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Our team is here to listen and work with you to develop a treatment plan that is both effective and tailored to your personal needs.
