[The role of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnostics of axial spondyloarthritis].

Axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorder that primary affects axial skeleton. It comprises wide spectrum of patients with immune mediated spine inflammation, from early, so called non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis to clinically evident ankylosing spondylitis. Conventional radiography is still the cornerstone of diagnosis, evaluation and classification of SpA.

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography in routine rheumatology practice: data from Central and Eastern European countries.

The main aim was to gain structured insight into the use of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) in routine rheumatology practices in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. In a cross-sectional, observational, international, multicenter survey, a questionnaire was sent to investigational sites in CEE countries. Data on all subsequent routine MSUS examinations, site characteristics, MSUS equipment, and investigators were collected over 6 months or up to 100 examinations per center.

[Ankylosing spondylitis in Central and Eastern Europe. Cross-sectional study on treatment modalities, disease activity and quality of life].

Objectives: To obtain information on the profile of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), disease activity, previous and current treatments, and the proportion and profile of patients treated with conventional medications but considered eligible for anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.

Methods: Participants were rheumatologists from seven Central and Eastern European countries who were considered experts in the treatment of AS and were to include 3-5 patients who had never received anti-TNF therapy. Rheumatologists were asked to decide whether they considered their patients candidates for anti-TNF therapy.

[Ankylosing spondylitis--the current situation and new therapeutic options].

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, immunologically mediated rheumatic disease whose progression largely depends on the extent of inflammatory activity. In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), therapeutic control of AS is very limited. Therapy of ankylosing spondylitis should not only control inflammatory processes, but also prevent structural damages and maintain the functions.