Spondyloarthritis in China.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although scientists in China have generated a considerable amount of new information about spondyloarthritis (SpA) in recent years, part of it was published in Chinese. The aim of this review is to summarize all SpA articles for the benefit of English readers.

RECENT FINDINGS

In the field of epidemiology, prevalence of SpA in China has been updated, especially with regard to psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In the field of genetics, Chinese scientists have discovered new single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites association with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Han Chinese. In the field of treatment, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonists are wildly used almost as a routine. The usefulness of certain Chinese traditional medicine is undergoing vigorous testing. In the field of diagnosis, ultrasound has been incorporated into the testing tools. In the field of monitoring of disease activity, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scores (ASDAS) has been validated in a cohort of Chinese SpA patients.

SUMMARY

Chinese scientists are using cutting-edge technology in the fields of research, diagnosis and management in SpA. What is needed are new approaches that can accommodate the large variations in socioeconomic status of various localities in the vast Chinese continent.