Introduction:

This case report follows an adolescent female with articular and bowel symptoms, highlighting the association between spondyloarthritis and Crohn’s disease.

Case description:

The first symptoms were joint pain, mainly in the knee and lower back leading to a possible autoimmune disease diagnosis, supported by elevation of inflammatory markers and magnetic resonance imaging showing sacroilitis. After that, the patient developed diarrhea and rectal bleeding, with colonoscopy revealing pancolitis and ulcerations. Main diagnosis, therapeutics, and results: The initial evaluation by a rheumatology specialist suggested spondyloarthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis as differential diagnosis establishing treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prednisolone. Cooperation with gastroenterology led to the diagnosis of spondyloarthritis associated with Crohn’s disease, changing the medication to adalimumab.

Comment:

This clinical case report highlights the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation when managing complex diagnoses and establishing suitable therapeutical strategies in autoimmune diseases. This case reinforces the role of the family doctor as a patient manager and as a key element in the acceptance of chronic illness by the patient and their family.

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