A Helpful Tool for Your Next Appointment: The Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Discussion Guide
Living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can be overwhelming—especially when symptoms are invisible, vary from day to day, and affect every part of life. For many Canadians, getting clear answers, feeling heard during appointments, and knowing what to ask can be a struggle. The Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association (CSA) created the axSpA Discussion Guide to help change that.
This easy-to-use resource empowers people living with axSpA to prepare for their medical visits, track what matters most, and communicate clearly with their healthcare team. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have lived with axSpA for years, the guide can help you make the most of limited appointment time and support more coordinated, patient-centred care.
Why the axSpA Discussion Guide Matters
Delayed diagnosis and fragmented care continue to impact people with axSpA across Canada. Many patients struggle for years before receiving answers—often because symptoms overlap with other conditions, or because inflammatory back pain isn’t immediately recognized. The Discussion Guide was developed with clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience to address these gaps.
The guide helps you:
- Clearly describe your symptoms, including pain, stiffness, mobility challenges, fatigue, or flares
- Track patterns in your daily functioning and quality of life
- Record questions and priorities before your appointment
- Communicate concerns that may be difficult to talk about on the spot
- Support more shared decision-making with your rheumatologist or primary care provider
- Ensure key aspects of your health—mental, physical, social—are not overlooked
This is especially important for individuals who face long wait times or see multiple specialists. Bringing a structured tool to your appointment helps keep conversations focused and ensures important details aren’t missed.
What’s Inside the Guide
The axSpA Discussion Guide includes practical, user-friendly sections such as:
- Symptom and flare tracking
- Pain location diagrams to help pinpoint trouble spots
- Mood, sleep, and fatigue check-ins
- Medication and treatment notes
- Questions to ask your healthcare provider
- A space to document goals, preferences, and next steps
It is designed to be printed, shared digitally, or used as a preparation tool before entering your appointment.
Download the axSpA Discussion Guide
Take charge of your next appointment.
Download the guide and start planning your conversation today.