Sovira Tan1, Runsheng Wang, Michael M Ward. 1. Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Syndesmophytes are characteristic components of the spine disorder of ankylosing spondylitis. Understanding their growth may reveal insights to pathogenesis and potential treatment. We review recent studies on rates of development of syndesmophytes, patient characteristics associated with more rapid syndesmophyte growth, local vertebral abnormalities that precede syndesmophytes, systemic biomarkers of syndesmophytes, and studies of medications. RECENT FINDINGS: New syndesmophytes develop in one-third of patients over 2 years. Consistent clinical predictors are male sex, elevated serum C-reactive protein levels, and preexisting syndesmophytes. Concomitant vertebral inflammation and fat dysplasia on MRI predict future syndesmophytes at the same vertebral location, but most syndesmophytes do not have recognized antecedents. Associations with serum levels of Wingless pathway proteins are inconsistent, as are the results of observational studies of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors. SUMMARY: Although there is better understanding of the frequency of syndesmophyte development, the pathogenesis of syndesmophytes remains unclear.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Syndesmophytes are characteristic components of the spine disorder of ankylosing spondylitis. Understanding their growth may reveal insights to pathogenesis and potential treatment. We review recent studies on rates of development of syndesmophytes, patient characteristics associated with more rapid syndesmophyte growth, local vertebral abnormalities that precede syndesmophytes, systemic biomarkers of syndesmophytes, and studies of medications. RECENT FINDINGS: New syndesmophytes develop in one-third of patients over 2 years. Consistent clinical predictors are male sex, elevated serum C-reactive protein levels, and preexisting syndesmophytes. Concomitant vertebral inflammation and fat dysplasia on MRI predict future syndesmophytes at the same vertebral location, but most syndesmophytes do not have recognized antecedents. Associations with serum levels of Wingless pathway proteins are inconsistent, as are the results of observational studies of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors. SUMMARY: Although there is better understanding of the frequency of syndesmophyte development, the pathogenesis of syndesmophytes remains unclear.
Authors: Astrid van Tubergen; Sofia Ramiro; Désirée van der Heijde; Maxime Dougados; Herman Mielants; Robert Landewé Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2011-10-11 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Sofia Ramiro; Astrid van Tubergen; Désirée van der Heijde; Carmen Stolwijk; Gideon Bookelman; Maxime Dougados; Filip van den Bosch; Robert B M Landewé Journal: Arthritis Rheumatol Date: 2014-10 Impact factor: 10.995
Authors: X Baraliakos; F Heldmann; J Callhoff; J Listing; T Appelboom; J Brandt; F Van den Bosch; M Breban; Gr Burmester; M Dougados; P Emery; H Gaston; M Grunke; I E Van Der Horst-Bruinsma; R Landewé; M Leirisalo-Repo; J Sieper; K De Vlam; D Pappas; U Kiltz; D Van Der Heijde; J Braun Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2013-07-14 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Sofia Ramiro; Désirée van der Heijde; Astrid van Tubergen; Carmen Stolwijk; Maxime Dougados; Filip van den Bosch; Robert Landewé Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2014-05-07 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Xenofon Baraliakos; Hildrun Haibel; Joachim Listing; Joachim Sieper; Jürgen Braun Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2013-03-16 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Dimitrios Daoussis; Stamatis-Nick C Liossis; Elena E Solomou; Anastasia Tsanaktsi; Konstadina Bounia; Maria Karampetsou; Georgios Yiannopoulos; Andrew P Andonopoulos Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 2010-01
Authors: Jürgen Braun; Xenofon Baraliakos; Kay-Geert A Hermann; Atul Deodhar; Désirée van der Heijde; Robert Inman; Anna Beutler; Yiying Zhou; Stephen Xu; Benjamin Hsu Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2013-05-03 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Rosalinde Stal; Xenofon Baraliakos; Désirée van der Heijde; Floris van Gaalen; Sofia Ramiro; Rosaline van den Berg; Monique Reijnierse; Juergen Braun; Robert Landewé; Alexandre Sepriano Journal: RMD Open Date: 2022-07