THE DIAGNOSTIC ROLE OF SERUM ANNEXIN A1 AS A BIOMARKER FOR EARLY STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by progressive structural damage to the sacroiliac joints and the spine, often leading to early disability in young adults. A significant challenge in rheumatology is the "diagnostic lag," which averages 12.5 months due to the absence of radiographic changes in the early stages. Identifying molecular biomarkers that reflect early bone remodeling, such as Annexin A1 (ANXA1)—a protein with potent anti-inflammatory and bone-protective properties—is of high clinical relevance