The Journey to Diagnose Spondyloarthritis in Patients From Riyadh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

IntroductionAnkylosing spondylitis, now frequently referred to as spondyloarthritis (SpA), is a chronic inflammatory disease causing axial arthritis and inflammatory lower back pain resulting in the eventual impairment of spinal mobility. Moreover, its systemic complications include stiffness and inflexibility, restriction of lung capacity and function, eye inflammation, compression spinal fractures, and heart problems. Hence, early diagnosis and intervention play a key role in preventing acute complications and improving the quality of life. ObjectiveWe aimed to estimate the average duration of diagnosis, the average number of doctors visited, and the association between the specialty of the first physician and the length of SpA diagnosis delay.