PhD defence
Early diagnosis and spinal bone disease in axial spondyloarthritis
- M. L. Marques
- Date
- Friday 12 June 2026
- Time
- Location
-
Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden
Supervisor(s)
- Prof.dr. D.M.F.M. van der Heijde
- dr. F.A. van Gaalen
- dr. M.S. Ramiro
Summary
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine, often beginning in young adulthood. Because its symptoms can resemble common back pain, diagnosis is often delayed for many years, increasing the risk of permanent spinal damage and disability.
This thesis addresses major challenges in the diagnosis and monitoring of axSpA and improves our understanding of how the disease affects the bones of the spine. One of its key findings is that early diagnosis by a rheumatologist is achievable within the first two years after symptom onset when patients are referred promptly and assessed by experienced specialists.
The thesis also shows that the methods currently used to monitor spinal mobility do not always capture meaningful changes in individual patients over time, highlighting the need for improved monitoring tools.
Using advanced imaging techniques, particularly low-dose Computed Tomography (ldCT), this thesis developed and validated new methods to assess both bone loss and abnormal new bone formation (so-called syndesmophytes) throughout the spine in patients with axSpA. The findings reinforce ldCT as a reliable imaging tool for assessing the full spectrum of bone disease in axSpA.
Combined assessments using ldCT and magnetic resonance imaging provide new insight into how spinal damage develops in axSpA and show that local inflammation plays a central role in driving both bone loss and new bone formation.
Together, these findings contribute to a better understanding of the disease and support future improvements in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment for people living with axSpA.
PhD dissertations
Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.
Press enquiries (journalists only)
General information
Beadle's Office
pedel@bb.leidenuniv.nl
+31 71 527 7211