Purpose of review: Hip and shoulder disease can occur in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). While hip involvement has been widely assessed in axial SpA patients, studies in the overall SpA population as well as studies focused on shoulder involvement are scarce. Here, we review the most recent studies on the epidemiology, evaluation, and treatment of root joint involvement in SpA patients.
Recent findings: Radiological hip involvement can affect up to 25% of patients with SpA, reflecting more severe disease and associated with functional impairment. Shoulder involvement in SpA patients is characterized by cuff tendinitis and enthesitis, while primary glenohumeral joint involvement is rare. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment in SpA patients seems to have an effect on hip arthritis, showing a change in trend in the frequency of hip replacement in this population. The majority of studies evaluating hip involvement have focused on axial SpA patients, but further studies evaluating root joint involvement in the overall SpA population are needed. Anti-TNF therapy should be considered in patients with hip involvement, and root joint involvement should be assessed routinely in clinical practice.
Keywords: Epidemiology; Hip; Imaging; Outcomes; Shoulder; Spondyloarthritis.