More than 80% of the population has significant back pain at some point in their life, with 30% of adults in the United States stating they have chronic low back pain at any given time; 5% of whom have inflammatory back pain. Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) affects almost 1.5% of patients with inflammatory back pain; however, the majority of individuals suffering with back pain are not being treated by a rheumatologist, which only exacerbates the challenge to diagnose those with axSpA.

In this subway themed activity, Dr. Leonard Calabrese discusses both radiographic and nonradiographic ankylosing spondylitis in detail, differentiating their diagnostic properties and how to properly treat and manage patients with this inflammatory disease that affects daily function and quality of life. Dr. Calabrese emphasizes appropriate testing and imaging with use of ASAS guidelines to provide an accurate diagnosis, while sharing case examples through disease progression and treatment selection.

Presenting Faculty

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  Leonard Calabrese, DO

  Professor of Medicine
  Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
  Director, RJ Fasenmyer Center for Clinical Immunology
  Cleveland Clinic
  Cleveland, Ohio