Which statement best describes spine involvement in enteropathic arthritis?

• A. Axial involvement may occur; corticosteroids for peripheral disease when no axial involvement
• B. Only peripheral joints are affected
• C. The disease never involves the spine
• D. Spinal involvement is prevented by therapy

Answer: (A)

Enteropathic arthritis can affect both peripheral joints and the spine, reflecting its nature as a type of spondyloarthritis linked to inflammatory bowel disease. The spine can indeed be involved (sacroiliitis, spondylitis), sometimes alongside peripheral arthritis. Management is guided by whether axial (spine) disease is present versus only peripheral disease. Corticosteroids are helpful for controlling peripheral arthritis, especially when there is no axial involvement, whereas axial disease often requires other therapies (such as NSAIDs used cautiously in IBD and, when needed, anti-TNF agents). Spinal involvement is not something therapy entirely prevents, and that makes the statement that axial involvement may occur and corticosteroids can be used for peripheral disease when there is no axial involvement the best description.