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Final Program


Schedule at a Glance
Legend
Program: Scientific Session
General Topic: Clinical

Axial Spondyloarthritis and Its Mimics Across the Age Spectrum: Emerging Concepts

Monday, October 27, 2025
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Central Time

    Moderator(s)

  • Joerg Ermann, MD

    Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Boston, MA, United States

    Disclosure(s): Augurex: Consultant (Ongoing); Eli Lilly: Consultant (Ongoing); Johnson & Johnson: Consultant (Ongoing); Novartis: Grant/Research Support (Terminated, December 31, 2024)

  • RS

    Rouhin Sen, MD,MS

    University of Alabama Birmingham
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose

    • Session Coordinator(s)

  • GL

    Grant Louie, MD, MHS

    Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, PC
    Wheaton, Maryland, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Lesley Jackson, MD, MPH

    University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Vestavia, AL, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

Despite use of MRI, the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) remains a challenge due to the common presentation of back pain and the non-specific nature of MRI findings indicative of AxSpA. In addition, there are unique considerations with respect to the interpretation of imaging findings in the pediatric population that rheumatologists need to consider in interpreting studies. Classification criteria for AxSpA differ between pediatric and adult patients. Finally, there are many mimics of AxSpA that the clinician needs to consider when evaluating patients with back pain.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe how the new AxJSpA classification criteria contribute to earlier diagnosis and treatment outcome of juvenile SpA
  • Compare and contrast treatment on spinal progression among adults with AxSpA versus juvenile patients
  • Discuss mimics of AxSpA among the age spectrum

Presentations:

  • 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Central Time
    Diagnosis and Management of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Juvenile Patients

    Speaker: Pamela Weiss, MD – Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

  • 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Central Time
    Diagnosis and Long-Term Treatment Outcomes of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Adults

    Speaker: Walter P. Maksymowych, MD, FRCPC, MRCP, FACP – University of Alberta

  • 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Central Time
    If Not Axial Spondyloarthritis, Then What?

    Speaker: Lianne S. Gensler, MD – University of California San Francisco