CSA and SPARCC – axSpA Summit 2025

Axial Spondyloarthritis (AS/axSpA) is more prominent than rheumatoid arthritis. It affects over 500,000 people in Canada. Yet, patients still endure a 7 to 10 year wait for diagnosis. That’s nearly a decade lost to pain, disability, and preventable damage.

This is our national call to action. Join us for the AS/axSpA Back Summit — the first event of its kind — bringing together leading voices from primary care, allied health, rheumatology, and patient advocacy. Together, we aim to develop collaborative strategies to shorten the path to diagnosis and transform care.

Your contribution will help shape a formal, published report of recommendations designed to influence policy, systems and improve the diagnostic journey for Canadians living with axSpA. All participants will be acknowledged in this landmark publication that will be made available nationally and will be used as a roadmap for subsequent actions and advocacy.

Why Attend?

Many patients present first with back pain to primary care providers, allied healthcare providers, physiotherapists and chiropractors like you. You are a key individual in their path to being diagnosed in a timely manner, giving them the best opportunity for early and successful treatment.

By attending this event, you will:

• Be acknowledged and recognized in a nationally endorsed publication report, which will shape future policy and care standards for axSpA diagnosis across Canada
• Learn how to identify key red flags for AS/axSpA
• Understand the patient journey to identify key touchpoints and opportunities
• Collaborate across disciplines to develop actionable strategies to reduce the delay
• Gain enhanced knowledge to support earlier detection of AS/axSpA
• Leverage your voice and work across disciplines to develop strategies to reduce the delay in diagnosis

What’s Included?

Lunch Provided: Enjoy a delicious meal while networking with peers.
Interactive Learning: Group discussions led by expert facilitators.

Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Robert Inman, Dr. Nigil Haroon, Ms. Laura Passalent

Agenda:

12:15 – 1:00 PM: Lunch, Networking and Registration
1:00 – 1:15 PM: Official Opening and Welcome, Moderator Introductions
1:15 – 1:25: Unmasking Axial Spondyloarthritis: Setting the Stage for Change
1:25 – 1:35: The Diagnostic Track
1:35 – 1:45: Lost Years and Ending the Wait: The importance of early diagnosis and emerging therapeutic outcomes
1:45 – 2:00: Patient Journey Experience
2:00 – 3:45: Moderated Table Discussions
3:45 – 4:00: Summary of Outcomes and Recommendations / Close

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