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Spondyloarthritis Associated with Acne Conglobata, Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp: A Review with Illustrative Cases

  • SERONEGATIVE ARTHRITIS (MA KHAN, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

To review and highlight the association of acne conglobata, hidradenitis suppurativa, and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp with inflammatory arthritic conditions, we report five illustrative patients with this association, and a review of the literature. All our patients were African-American males, and their skin disease present before the onset of arthritis. Both asymmetric peripheral arthritis and axial disease can occur. The arthritis is usually insidious and lacks association with rheumatoid factor and HLA-B27. Imaging of peripheral joints can reveal erosions, periosteal bone reaction and new bone formation. When the axial skeleton is involved, imaging can reveal sacroiliitis, syndesmophyte formation. NSAIDs, oral and intra-articular steroids, DMARDs and TNF alpha antagonists have all been used with success. Controlled trials with larger numbers of patients are needed to assess which treatment options are the most effective for this group of patients.

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Conflict of Interest

Debbie T. Lim declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

Neena M. James declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

Sobia Hassan declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

Muhammad Asim Khan declares that he has no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rheumatology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44109-1998, USA

    Debbie T. Lim, Neena M. James, Sobia Hassan & Muhammad A. Khan

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  1. Debbie T. Lim
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  2. Neena M. James
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  3. Sobia Hassan
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  4. Muhammad A. Khan
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Correspondence to Muhammad A. Khan.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Seronegative Arthritis

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Lim, D.T., James, N.M., Hassan, S. et al. Spondyloarthritis Associated with Acne Conglobata, Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp: A Review with Illustrative Cases. Curr Rheumatol Rep 15, 346 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-013-0346-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-013-0346-y

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