Consensus statements on the imaging of axial spondyloarthritis in Australia and New Zealand

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) describes a group of related inflammatory conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, SpA associated with inflammatory bowel disease and undifferentiated SpA.1 Classification criteria have been developed and validated by the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) to distinguish axial‐predominant SpA from peripherally predominant SpA. These criteria contribute to diagnosis, but are not ideal diagnostic criteria as they possess only moderate sensitivity. Diagnosis of axial SpA should be established by a rheumatologist, after careful consideration of these criteria and individual patient factors.

Recent research into axial SpA has improved diagnostic assessment, using MRI and has established MRI and radiography as the main tools for assessing disease activity, response to treatment and prognosis. Diagnosis of axial SpA is often dependent on the choice and interpretation of imaging in individuals with axial symptoms. These consensus statements were developed to provide an evidence‐based approach to imaging in axial SpA.