Applicability of metabolomics in axial spondyloarthritis: a scoping review

Objective This scoping review aims to explore the applicability of metabolomics in identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods We conducted a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR and JBI guidelines. Searches were carried out on the Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases. After applying the eligibility criteria, 13 articles were included in the final analysis. Results Specific metabolic signatures, mainly amino acid, fatty acid, and energy and lipid metabolism metabolites, were identified as potential tools for distinguishing axSpA patients from healthy controls and assessing treatment response. Conclusion Metabolomics holds considerable promise for advancing the understanding of axSpA pathophysiology and facilitating biomarker discovery. However, further validation in diverse populations and methodological standardization are required before these findings can be translated into clinical practice.