Epidemiology of spondyloarthritis in México.

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an important group of rheumatic diseases in specialized Mexican clinics. Their most common pattern includes the involvement of both axial and peripheral sites, and their consequences have an important impact on functioning, health-related quality of life and direct and indirect costs. In México, the prevalence of SpAs in the community is 0.6% and that of ankylosing spondylitis is 0.09%. However, along with the limited awareness of SpAs, the facts are that rheumatic diseases are not a priority for the state, university curricula do not provide enough information to students and the number of board-certified rheumatologists in México is approximately 500 for 110 million people. Delayed referrals to a specialist are common and, treatment, in consequence, becomes difficult.