Collaborating to Combat Delayed Diagnosis
The Crucial Role of Ophthalmologists in the diagnosis of Axial Spondylarthropathy
At next year’s The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) annual congress, Belfast (20–23 May 2024), we are holding a symposium:
“Unravelling the hidden complexities of Acute Anterior Uveitis, what the eye is trying to tell you”
Axial SpA is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints but can manifest with a wide array of symptoms, some of which may be unrelated to MSK issues. These symptoms can easily be mistaken for other conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis & treatment.
In the UK, we still have an 8.5 YEAR gap between onset of AxSPA symptoms and diagnosis, we want to shorten this gap! Rheumatologists & Ophthalmologists are working collaboratively, including with other specialities to reduce this.
Approximately 50% of acute anterior uveitis (AAU) cases are associated with the allele #HLAB27), which confers greatly increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis
In the #YouTube short below, I highlight the importance of asking questions in clinic. At RCOphth Congress 2024, we will cover key questions to ask, emerging therapies & future directions. In what promises to be a useful session for all Ophthalmologists, we cover not just AxSPA but other systemic associations of AAU.
Please do join us, & thank you in advocating for integrative patient care & early detection of AxSpA. We can all make a difference.
Useful Resources:
➤ Act on Axial SpA campaign: https://www.actonaxialspa.com/
➤ Tips for recognising axial SpA in #Ophthalmology:
https://www.actonaxialspa.com/recognising-axial-spa-in-ophthalmology/
➤ Papers of interest on #axialSpA & #AAU:
https://www.actonaxialspa.com/ophthalmology/
➤ Toolkit for #Healthcare Professionals:
https://www.actonaxialspa.com/hcp-toolkit/
➤ More helpful videos courtesy of Joseph Eddison (MAPM):
https://cloud.info.ucb.com/NASS_all_content
https://cloud.info.ucb.com/NASS_all_content/full_video_January
