Spondyloarthritis in a patient with unilateral buttock pain and history of Crohn disease.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with inflammatory spinal conditions related to spondyloarthritis are rarely seen by primary care practitioners. However, patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease and chronic low back or buttock pain should be examined carefully for the presence of spondyloarthritis, as proper management may include referral to a rheumatologist and appropriate medical intervention. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 27-year-old woman with a 6-month history of posterior buttock pain was referred for physical therapy with a diagnosis of piriformis syndrome. During the second physical therapy visit, a nonmechanical source of lumbopelvic pain was suspected, and the patient was referred for medical consultation. The patient underwent evaluation by a rheumatologist and was eventually diagnosed with spondyloarthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease. OUTCOMES: The patient initiated treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor medication to address the spondyloarthritis. Medical management resulted in significant improvement in all outcome measures. DISCUSSION: Clinical suspicion of spondyloarthritis is raised when specific historical, examination, and imaging findings are present. The posttest probability of spondyloarthritis is increased with the presence of inflammatory back pain and specific spondyloarthritic features, such as a positive history of inflammatory bowel disease, radiographic evidence of sacroiliitis, and improvement with anti-inflammatory medication. Referral of patients with these findings for a rheumatological evaluation is warranted, as these diseases are managed effectively with specific treatment.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Coronado, RA; Sheets, CZ; Cook, CE; Boissonnault, WG

Published Date

  • May 2010

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 90 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 784 - 792

PubMed ID

  • 20299407

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1538-6724

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.2522/ptj.20090172

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States