National Enteropathic Arthritis Day in Canada Date in the current year: November 19, 2024

Enteropathic arthritis (EnA), also known as enteropathic arthropathy or IBD-related arthritis, is a form of inflammatory arthritis that is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and some other gastrointestinal conditions. Patients with EnA have inflammation in part of their digestive tract (typically the colon or small intestine) and chronic joint swelling. EnA is a type of spondyloarthritis, a long-term (chronic) joint disease.

According to statistics, about 10–20% of people with various types of IBD, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, will develop enteropathic arthritis. EnA may also be associated with other conditions affecting the small intestine such as celiac disease, Whipple’s disease, or inflammation caused by an infection. It can also develop after intestinal bypass surgery, which affects the absorption of nutrients. EnA typically occurs in younger people aged 15–40, but older people can be affected, too.

The symptoms of enteropathic arthritis can be divided into two bid groups: symptoms involving the gastrointestinal system and symptoms involving the joints. GI symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss. Common arthritis symptoms are pain, swelling, redness, stiffness, tenderness, and warmth in the joints, particularly in the lower limbs, and stiffness and pain in the spine.

The cause of enteropathic arthritis is unclear, and its course and severity vary from person to person. Like with many chronic conditions, the cycle of flare and remission is common for EnA; EnA flare-ups typically coincide with IBD flare-ups, but not necessarily.

There is no cure for enteropathic arthritis, but there are treatments that can help manage both sets of symptoms. The primary goal for treatments is to control inflammation in all affected organ systems (the joints and the gastrointestinal tract) and improve the long-term quality of life.

National Enteropathic Arthritis Day is promoted by the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association (CSA). The CSA is a patient-led advocacy and education organization focused on supporting people living with spondyloarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spodylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, and associated spondyloarthritis diseases.

To raise awareness of enteropathic arthritis, the CSA applies to illuminate landmarks across Canada in purple (EnA awareness color). The association also holds webinars and other awareness events to educate people about enteropathic arthritis and provides resources for people living with the disease and their families. You can get involved with the observance by learning more about EnA and sharing the information you’ve learned with others, donating to an organization that supports arthritis patients or funds research, and posting on social media with the hashtags #NationalEntheropaticArthritisDay and #NationalEnADay.