During the past year, concepts of spondyloarthropathy and associated gut abnormalities have been further confirmed. In addition, the evolution of spondyloarthropathy to ankylosing spondylitis seems to be determined by the underlying gut inflammation. Other factors present early in spondyloarthropathy that affect the long-term prognosis of the disease have been determined. HLA-B27 has an impact on the severity of spondyloarthropathy. Its presence is also highly associated with uveitis. Paradoxically, HLA-B27plus; uveitis is usually benign, with a good prognosis. A subgroup of patients can, however, have severe posterior uveitis; immunosuppressive drugs have been used to treat this disorder.
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