The emphasis placed on HLA-B27 positivity in classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis has generated some concern over potential misclassification of patients with chronic back pain. The results of a recent study suggest that these worries could have some foundation, at least in regions with high HLA-B27 prevalence.
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Van den Bosch, F., Elewaut, D. A conundrum: classifying patients with SpA in daily practice. Nat Rev Rheumatol 8, 699–700 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.204
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.204