Unusual cause of inflammatory backache: SAPHO syndrome

Nabaa Ihsan Awadh; Faiq I Gorial; Ahmed Dheyaa Al-Obaidi; Hashim Talib Hashim; Mustafa Najah Al-Obaidi; Reem Abbas Hammadi

doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14878

Unusual cause of inflammatory backache: SAPHO syndrome

Int J Rheum Dis. 2024 Jan;27(1):e14878. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.14878. Epub 2023 Aug 17.

Authors

Nabaa Ihsan Awadh¹, Faiq I Gorial², Ahmed Dheyaa Al-Obaidi³, Hashim Talib Hashim³, Mustafa Najah Al-Obaidi³, Reem Abbas Hammadi¹

Affiliations

¹ Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq.
² Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
³ College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

PMID: 37592395
DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14878

Abstract

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease that develops in adults. We present a case of SAPHO syndrome in a 37-year-old male presenting with gradually worsening back and neck pain for a 7-year period. The episodes were preceded by a history of pustular skin eruptions, which first appeared on the upper trunk and then involved his face and were pustular and scarring. The purpose of presenting this case report from Iraq is to raise awareness about this rare condition, which is frequently misdiagnosed and under-recognized.

Keywords: SAPHO syndrome; acne; hyperostosis; osteitis; pustulosis; synovitis.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Acne Vulgaris* / diagnosis
Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome* / complications
Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome* / diagnosis
Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome* / drug therapy
Adult
Back Pain / diagnosis
Back Pain / etiology
Humans
Male
Osteitis*
Skin
Synovitis* / diagnosis