[Development of morbidity and mortality in patients with spondyloarthritis].

This review presents data on morbidity and mortality in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Morbidity in patients with SpA is mainly determined by impairment of function and development of structural lesions. The course of illness in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is influenced by comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and fractures of the spine and in patients with psoriatic arthritis by peripheral joint manifestations. The mortality of patients with SpA has probably not increased but exact data are lacking. Approximately one third of AS patients will develop a severe disease state in which the mortality rate is increased by 50%.