HR0828LRB102 27182 ECR 38742 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Spondyloarthritis is the name given to a family
3of closely related, chronic rheumatic diseases that pose a
4major health concern in the United States, impacting one in
5100 Americans; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Spondyloarthritis affects 3.2 million adults in
7the U.S., more than RA, ALS, and MS combined; it can occur
8early in life and is a condition for which there is no known
9cure; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Many women, especially Black women, impacted by
11the disease remain undiagnosed due to inadequate awareness,
12with the average diagnostic delay being seven to 10 years; and
 
13    WHEREAS, There are fewer than 400 pediatric
14rheumatologists in the U.S., and approximately one-fourth of
15the 300,000 children with arthritis must travel 80 or more
16miles to see a rheumatologist; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Spondyloarthritis includes ankylosing
18spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis,
19enteropathic arthritis, juvenile spondyloarthritis,
20undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, peripheral
21spondyloarthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and

 

 

HR0828- 2 -LRB102 27182 ECR 38742 r

1non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Symptoms of spondyloarthritis typically begin
3before the age of 45, with early signs including frequent pain
4and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks and pain in a
5peripheral joint, such as the hip, ankle, elbow, heel, or
6shoulder; and
 
7    WHEREAS, A portion of people with spondyloarthritis will
8progress to spinal fusion and will become prone to fractures,
9thoracic kyphosis, or eroded peripheral joints, especially the
10hips and shoulders; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Complications from spondyloarthritis may cause
12serious inflammation in other organs, including the heart,
13lungs, skin, gastrointestinal tract, nerves, and eyes; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Early diagnosis is critical in effectively
15treating the disease, preventing certain complications,
16reducing medical disability, and improving quality of life and
17function for those impacted with spondyloarthritis; and
 
18    WHEREAS, An increase in awareness of spondyloarthritis and
19its symptoms, with both medical professionals and the general
20public, can increase the likelihood of earlier diagnosis with
21all of its benefits to patients and society; and
 

 

 

HR0828- 3 -LRB102 27182 ECR 38742 r

1    WHEREAS, People living with this potentially debilitating
2disease should be provided with the resources, education, and
3support needed for a timely diagnosis and improved treatment
4outcomes so that they can live their lives to the fullest;
5therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
7HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
8we declare May of 2022 "Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month" in
9the State of Illinois.