Abstract
The Spondyloarthritis Research and Therapy Network (SPARTAN; www.spartangroup.org) was founded in 2003 by a group of North American clinicians and researchers to promote research, education, and treatment of spondyloarthritis (SpA). In past years, it has produced and disseminated United States-specific modifications of the ASsessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) guidelines for the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in AS1,2. SPARTAN held its fifth annual research meeting in September 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. Highlights of the meeting included updates on current research in SpA, including epidemiology and genetics, bone formation and inflammation, biomarkers, activation of the IL-23/IL-17 axis, and animal models. A presentation was made on basic and clinical science of inflammatory bowel disease, and an educational pre-meeting conference was specifically designed for rheumatology fellows.
Footnotes
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R.A. Colbert, MD, PhD, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; A.A. Deodhar, MD, Oregon Health and Science University; M.A. Khan, MD, Case Western Reserve University; R.J. Lories, MD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Katholieke Universiteit; W.P. Maksymowych, MD, Scientist, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research; J.D. Reveille, MD, University of Texas, Houston Medical School; C.T. Ritchlin, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center; J.T. Rosenbaum, MD, Oregon Health and Science University; S.R. Targan, MD; M. Weisman, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; D.O. Clegg, MD, University of Utah School of Medicine.
