A statistical symptomatic evaluation on SAPHO syndrome from 56 cases of confirmed diagnosis and 352 cases of non-SAPHO involvement.

Objective: To report a statistical evaluation of symptomatology based on 56 cases of SAPHO syndrome and 352 non-SAPHO involvement cases, to propose a symptomatic scoring system in consideration of early warning for SAPHO syndrome.

Methods: A cohort comprising 56 subjects diagnosed with SAPHO syndrome was reported, as well as 352 non-SAPHO involvement cases, including their chief complaints, skin manifestations, radiological findings, and laboratory tests. We systematically reviewed previous published five representative huge cohorts from different countries to conclude several specific features of SAPHO by comparing with our case series. The score of each specific index is based on respective incidence and comparison of two cohorts was performed.

Result: In terms of complaint rates, all subjects of two cohorts suffered from osseous pain, which appeared in the anterior chest wall, spine, and limb which were calculated. In respect to dermatological lesions, SAPHO patients suffered from severe acne, and other patients (82.14%) accompanied with palmoplantar pustulosis. Having received radiological examinations, most SAPHO subjects rather than non-SAPHO involvement cases showed abnormal osteoarticular lesions under CT scanning and more detailed information under whole-body bone scintigraphy. Differences also emerged in elevation of inflammation values and rheumatic markers like HLA-B27. Based on our cases and huge cohorts documented, the early warning standard is set to be 5 scores.

Conclusions: SAPHO syndrome case series with 56 subjects were reported and an accumulative scoring system for the early reminder on SAPHO syndrome was proposed. The threshold of this system is set to be 5 points. Key Points • Fifty-six patients diagnosed by SAPHO syndrome with detailed symptoms and radiological findings were reported. • Comparison was made between the 56 SAPHO patients and 352 non-SAPHO involvement cases. • An accumulative scoring system for the early reminder on SAPHO syndrome was proposed and the threshold of this system is set to be five points.