Edited by Drs. Juergen Braun and Joachim Sieper, this issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics comprehensively reviews the state of the art of spondyloarthritis (SpA) diagnosis, prognosis, pathogenesis and genetic insights, and treatment. The worldwide burden of SpA now exceeds that of rheumatoid arthritis. General topics covered include inflammatory back pain, pathophysiology, imaging techniques, and therapeutic strategies.

Axial Spondyloarthritis is a timely addition to the Oxford Textbooks in Rheumatology series, providing a comprehensive reference to this rapidly evolving field. The conceptual framework of the disease has now evolved beyond ankylosing spondylitis to encompass a broader concept of axial inflammation. Earlier recognition has opened the door to earlier intervention, and the understanding of the biologic basis of axial SpA has seen significant advances in recent years. The first textb...