Solving the patient puzzle:
A pragmatic approach to SpA management

Welcome

Dear Delegate

On behalf of the faculty, I am delighted to welcome you to this case-based symposium, which will focus on the challenges involved in managing spondyloarthritis (SpA). During the symposium, we aim to piece together recent advances in our understanding of SpA inflammation, disease progression, long-term treatment, integrated care, and clinical practice. Interactive patient cases will be used to enable the audience to guide the flow of the symposium.

I will open the symposium by giving an overview of the pathophysiology of SpA, including the role of cytokines and signaling molecules in the onset of inflammation, and the complexities of systemic inflammation. Professor Denis Poddubnyy will then explore the link between inflammation, radiographic progression, and disability, and describe the evidence for the role of current therapies in inhibiting disease progression. In our third presentation, Professor Philip Mease will review how to achieve remission, and will evaluate the therapeutic options for patients in stable remission, including treatment maintenance, withdrawal, or tapering. Finally, Professor Dirk Elewaut will give practical advice on how to better integrate SpA patient care, particularly in patients with extra-articular manifestations and comorbidities. There will be opportunities for audience interaction throughout the presentations, as well as during a final panel discussion when the experts will focus on practical insights into optimizing SpA patient management.

We are delighted that you have joined us at this stimulating and informative event, and look forward to hearing your views on how to solve the SpA patient puzzle.

Kind regards

Professor Georg Schett

Symposium Chair