What Is Nr-axSpA?
What Is Non-Radiographic Axial
Spondyloarthritis?
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, or nr-axSpA (pronounced N-R-Ax-Spa), is a chronic inflammatory condition. It’s characterized by active inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints, which are the joints that connect the lower spine and pelvis.
Identifying nr-axSpA
Nr-axSpA belongs to the axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) family of inflammatory conditions. These conditions affect the spine and SI joints, but signs and symptoms can occur in other parts of the body.
Another condition classified in the axSpA family is ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Many of the signs and symptoms of nr-axSpA and AS overlap, but a rheumatologist can distinguish between these two conditions using x-ray imaging.
You can fill out the discussion guide and share it with your specialist to help assess your condition and its effect on your day-to-day life.
My back pain was cause for concern… for about 10 years before I figured out this is something that can be named and managed
- Beth, CIMZIA patient
Individual results may vary.
nr-axSpA
- nr
- Non-radiographic
No damage is visible on an x-ray
- ax
- Axial
The part of the skeleton that includes the spine and SI joints
- SpA
- Spondyloarthritis
A family of chronic inflammatory conditions
nr-axSpA versus AS
- nr-axSpA
- No damage is visible on an x-ray
- AS
- Damage is visible on an x-ray
Understanding Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
Symptoms
Because back pain is common, nr-axSpA can often be overlooked as the cause. Below are a few key symptoms you can watch for that might point to nr-axSpA:
Signs of inflammatory back pain related to nr-axSpA:
Pain that lasts 3
months or longer
Pain that goes away
with exercise and
activity
Pain while
sleeping
Age of onset under 45
years
Additional signs and symptoms:
- Morning stiffness
- Reduced mobility
- Limitations at work and home
- Fatigue
Some people with nr-axSpA may experience more widespread symptoms, such as:
- Swelling around the joints
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Vision problems
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Diagnosis
Nearly 1.7 million individuals in the US live with nr-axSpA, with women making up 57% of patients and men representing 43%.
On average, it takes 5 to 8 years for patients to receive an accurate nr-axSpA diagnosis.
Since the awareness for nr-axSpA is low, it is often misdiagnosed. Most back-pain conditions are mechanical, and it can be difficult to differentiate between mechanical pain (e.g., muscle strain, slipped disc, or pinched nerve) and inflammatory pain.
nr-axSpA is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia (a neurological condition) because chronic pain in the back and other parts of the body is often a feature of both conditions.
Misdiagnosis and visits to multiple specialists can be discouraging. However, being aware of the signs of inflammation and working with the right specialist can help uncover the cause. A rheumatologist is the best physician to evaluate you for nr-axSpA, because they are trained to diagnose and treat inflammatory conditions.
If x-rays do not show visible changes in your joints or spine, it could be nr-axSpA. Your rheumatologist may then recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to detect inflammation. Additional tests in the diagnostic process may include, but are not limited to:
- Evaluation of medical history, including family history
- Laboratory tests for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which indicate inflammation
- Certain blood tests for genetic markers, such as HLA-B27
nr-axSpA in Women
Women may experience symptoms differently than men. Women tend to have pain that is more widespread, which can result in a diagnostic delay. On average, an nr-axSpA diagnosis takes more than a year longer in women than in men.
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Impact
From the moment you wake up in the morning, nr-axSpA can have an effect on every part of your life.
Talking to a rheumatologist can help you take control of your condition.
Nr-axSpA can start slowing you down even before you get out of bed—it’s hard to start the day with stiffness, decreased mobility, and debilitating chronic back pain. You may be tired of calling in sick and canceling plans with friends, not to mention the list of things to do around the house. Feeling discouraged and misunderstood with nr-axSpA is understandable.
To help you talk to your doctor about your nr-axSpA symptoms, use our Doctor Discussion Guide.
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Treatment
Some treatments may not address the root cause or help control symptoms of nr-axSpA. For example, some pain relievers may help temporarily relieve pain, but they do not address the underlying spinal inflammation causing the symptoms.
46%
46% of people treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may have severe symptoms from nr-axSpA and be eligible for anti-TNF treatment.
CIMZIA (certolizumab pegol) is an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologic. In people with nr-axSpA, the body makes too much TNF, causing immune cells to attack healthy tissue. This leads to inflammation and the symptoms you may be experiencing. By working to block these extra signals to immune cells, CIMZIA treats nr-axSpA where it starts, inside the body.
CIMZIA is the first and only therapy of its kind for nr-axSpA* proven to improve symptoms and disease activity over time. Learn more about how CIMZIA may work for you.
*CIMZIA is an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologic.
At-home care
Whether you are currently not on a treatment plan or are looking for some extra steps you can take to alleviate symptoms, there are other ways to help manage the symptoms of nr-axSpA:
- Physical therapy: An experienced physical therapist can work with you to create a strength and mobility program that can help preserve range of motion in your neck and back.
- Exercise: Aside from helping with mobility and maintaining flexibility, exercise also has a positive effect on the fatigue and emotional distress that can accompany nr-axSpA.
- Stop smoking: With an established association between smoking and inflammation, quitting can help alleviate some of the symptoms of nr-axSpA.
Untreated progression
While some may consider “sticking it out” and ignoring their nr-axSpA symptoms, there is a chance that untreated inflammation could lead to more severe issues. In fact, 10%-40% of nr-axSpA patients convert to ankylosing spondylitis over the course of 2-10 years, with 60%-70% developing irreversible structural damage to their spine.
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Support
There are many resources available, from payment assistance to educational tools, if you find yourself needing help or guidance with your nr-axSpA.
Spondylitis Association of America strives to be a leader in the quest to cure nr-axSpA, AS, and related diseases. It has a mission to empower those affected to live life to the fullest. Call 1-818-892-1616 to learn more.
American College of Rheumatology works to advance rheumatology treatment through programs to improve care for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation works to advance the treatment of more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. Call 1-800-283-7800 for more information.
†The CIMplicity program is provided as a service of UCB and is intended to support the appropriate use of CIMZIA. The CIMplicity program may be amended or canceled at any time without notice. Some program and eligibility restrictions may apply.
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Common Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis Questions
What is non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA)?
Nr-axSpA is a chronic inflammatory condition. It’s characterized by active inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints, which are the joints that connect the lower spine and pelvis.
What does non-radiographic mean?
“Non-radiographic” means that no damage is visible on an x-ray.
Is nr-axSpA an autoimmune disease?
Nr-axSpA is a cross between an autoinflammatory and an autoimmune condition, where your immune system thinks it is under attack and creates inflammation to protect against the nonexistent danger.
What causes nr-axSpA?
In people with nr-axSpA, the body makes too much of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), causing immune cells to attack healthy tissue. This leads to inflammation and the symptoms you may be experiencing.
What are symptoms of nr-axSpA?
Some signs of inflammatory back pain related to nr-axSpA include pain that lasts 3 months or longer, pain that goes away with exercise and activity, and pain while sleeping. These symptoms typically onset in people under 45 years of age.
How is nr-axSpA treated?
To treat nr-axSpA where it starts, your doctor may prescribe an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologic, such as CIMZIA. In people with nr-axSpA, the body makes too much TNF, causing immune cells to attack healthy tissue. This leads to inflammation and the symptoms you may be experiencing. CIMZIA works by blocking these extra signals to immune cells. To learn more about the effectiveness of CIMZIA with nr-axSpA, visit our Why CIMZIA? page.
Is nr-axSpA the same as ankylosing spondylitis?
Both nr-axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis are chronic inflammatory conditions that can affect the spine and sacroiliac joints. While some symptoms may appear similar, the damage caused by ankylosing spondylitis is visible on x-ray, while the damage caused by nr-axSpA is not. However, damage from nr-axSpA can be visible when using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?
The effects of ankylosing spondylitis on your bones and joints can be seen through imaging tests. Your rheumatologist may use x-ray imaging to assess structural damage. They may also look at your medical history, perform a physical exam, and run blood tests to check for certain genetic markers and inflammation. For more information, including treatment options, we have a whole section of our site dedicated to ankylosing spondylitis.
Hear From Real CIMZIA Patients
Dealing with nr-axSpA can be a lonely experience. But you’re not alone. Hear from actual patients as they share their stories about dealing with painful nr-axSpA symptoms and how CIMZIA helped them in their journey.
Individual results may vary.