Dr. Khan, a legendary rheumatologist and spondylitis researcher, has come out with his second book on ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Unlike his first book on AS aimed at patients, this one targets health care providers. The enormous clinical and research experience of the author is evident in the lucid description of the clinical features and pathogenesis of AS. The reader will gain good insight after reading the very balanced description of the different hypotheses on the pathogenesis of this complex disease. A detailed section on HLA-B27 as well as others on genetic breakthroughs are very well written. One of the first things the reader will notice is the elaborate and easy to understand tables and illustrations. The radiographs and magnetic resonance images are of excellent quality and show the classical radiographic features of AS.
Epidemiologists will find this a one source book of the different criteria for classification of AS, and of spondyloarthropathies in general. There are excellent tables showing the different treatment response criteria. Students of medicine and rheumatology alike will find the description of these criteria and their temporal updates particularly useful. In only a few pages, the book provides us with a glimpse of the evolution of our understanding of AS over many decades.
A separate chapter is dedicated to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, which has revolutionized the management of AS. Not only is the rationale for its use explained, but also the results of some landmark studies are given, with accompanying figures for easy understanding.
We recommend this book to general physicians and rheumatologists alike.