Could Your Chronic Back Pain Be Caused by Spondyloarthritis?

If your back pain began before age 45 and has lasted more than three months, it may not be “just” back pain.

Spondyloarthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that often starts in young adulthood. One form, axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), primarily involves the spine and often begins in young adulthood—but it frequently goes undiagnosed for years.

Take our quick screening assessment to see if your symptoms may be consistent with axSpA. Only a physician can provide a diagnosis, but this tool can help you see if a rheumatologist visit may be helpful.

Try the AxSpA Screening Assessment Tool

Is It Just Back Pain…or Something More?

Watch recordings of expert presentations from our premier livestream event, “Is It Just Back Pain… or Something More?” to learn how inflammatory back pain differs from mechanical causes, what warning signs to look for, when to consider seeing a rheumatologist, and practical tips for advocating for yourself within the healthcare system.

Then scroll below the videos to take our quick screening assessment. While only a physician can provide a diagnosis, this tool can help you determine whether your symptoms may be consistent with axSpA and whether a rheumatology visit could be helpful.

Charles Odonkor, MD, provides an overview of the various causes of chronic back pain, including mechanical inflammatory, neuropathic and myofascial issues, and discusses treatment and diagnostic approaches.

Raj Sengupta, MD, breaks down the key differences between inflammatory and mechanical back pain, highlighting the clinical red flags that suggest inflammatory disease, why it is frequently overlooked, and when a referral to rheumatology is warranted.

Abhijeet Danve, MBBS, MD, MHS provides a comprehensive overview of axial spondyloarthritis, including its clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, treatment strategies, associated comorbidities, and potential long-term complications.

Chuck Melendi, MBA explores patient advocacy and navigating the healthcare system, offering practical guidance on communicating effectively with physicians, working with insurance providers, and engaging with policymakers.

Abhijeet Danve, Chuck Melendi, and SAA members Mini Wilson and Rick Phillips participate in a live Q&A session, addressing patient questions on diagnosis, treatment, advocacy, and living with spondyloarthritis.

Thank you to AbbVie for helping make our HealthEd Livestream program — from which these videos were excerpted — possible through an Independent Patient Education Grant.

Your feedback is extremely important to our ongoing efforts to meet your educational needs. Click here to take a brief, 5-minute survey to help us improve future livestream events. Completing this survey is voluntary. Your responses are confidential and will only be seen by SAA staff.

Take the AxSpA Screening Assessment

Assessment powered by the A-Tool©, developed by Dr. Abhijeet Danve, MBBS, MD, MHS.

This short questionnaire is designed for people living with chronic back pain. It can help determine whether seeing a rheumatologist for further evaluation may be appropriate.

Who Is This For?

You may consider taking this assessment if:

Your back pain has lasted longer than three months
It began before age 45
It improves with movement but not with rest
You experience prolonged morning stiffness
You have related symptoms such as joint pain, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or eye inflammation

Help Us Understand the Impact of The A-Tool©

If you used this assessment, we’d love to hear about your experience. Did the results lead you to seek care, see a rheumatologist, or receive a diagnosis? Your optional feedback can help us understand how this tool supports earlier diagnosis.

Send us a message at programs@spondylitis.org

The Axial Spondyloarthritis Screening Tool (A-Tool©) was developed by Dr. Abhijeet Danve, MBBS, MD, MHS, to help identify undiagnosed axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) among people with chronic back pain and determine if they should see a rheumatologist for further evaluation. The tool is based on published research and is intended to support awareness and timely referral. The A-Tool© survey data is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40901640/

Important Information

The A-Tool© is intended for educational and awareness purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Results should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Privacy

Responses collected through this tool may be used in aggregate or de-identified form for awareness and advocacy purposes. Please review our Privacy Policy for more information.