TRAUMA AND SERONEGATIVE SPONDARTHRITIS - A REAPPRAISAL OF THE PROBLEM

Environmental factors have been invoked in the pathogenesis of seroneg ative spondarthritis. In addition to physical injury, infections, vasc ular factors and inflammatory cells have been evaluated, together with the possible role of the HLA-B27 antigen. In a series of seronegative spondarthritic patients, and matching psoriatic to rheumatoid patient s, the relationships between articular trauma, HLA-B27 and seronegativ e spondarthritis has been evaluated. Trauma, defined as every 'traumat ic' disorder immediately preceding seronegative spondarthritis onset, was detectable in a high percentage of the cases. Statistical analysis does not confirm a predisposing role of HLA-B27.