Why does chronic inflammation manifest not only in the joints but also in the gut in a substantial proportion of patients with SpA? Insights into the genetic and environmental factors that link inflammatory bowel disease and SpA are provided in this Review. Furthermore, the authors present a transition model, describing a phase in the disease process during which acute inflammation is transformed into chronic pathology, and suggest that it might present the opportunity for effective therapeutic intervention.
- Liesbet Van Praet
- Peggy Jacques
- Dirk Elewaut
