Abstract
Objective:To determine the frequency, demographics, laboratory and radiological features in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.Methods:This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients with a diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), based on Modified New York criteria. The study was conducted at the Rheumatology Clinic of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), from February 2004 to February 2014. Detailed history, examination and laboratory investigations were recorded in a pre-designed structured proforma. The frequency, demographic characteristics, extra-articular features and associated co-morbidities were studied.Results:A total of 603 patients were registered in our Rheumatology Clinic during this period, with a definitive diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatological disorders. Out of these, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) was diagnosed in 32 (5.3%) patients. 24 were male and 8 patients were female. The commonest affected age group was between 21-40 years. Majority of the patients belonged to Pathan ethnicity.Conclusion:The demographic features of AS are same as reported in earlier studies from other parts of the world. The predominance of AS in specific ethnic groups is a fact that needs to be studied. Larger studies are required for clarifying the triggers of this disease. It often leads to severe disability, hence an early diagnosis and prompt treatment is required for better disease control and quality of life.
Highlights
Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) encompass several rheumatic disorders that share clinical, genetic and radiographic features
Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients registered at the Rheumatology Clinic of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) from February 2004 to February 2014
A total of 32 patients with definitive diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) according to the Modified New York criteria, were included, which accounted for 5.3% of patients in the Rheumatology Clinic
Summary
Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) encompass several rheumatic disorders that share clinical, genetic and radiographic features. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is the prototype of SpA. It is a chronic, progressive, multi-system inflammatory disorder which primarily involves the sacroiliac (SI) joints and the axial skeleton. The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) B27 gene is commonly present. The prevalence of AS in a population reflects the associated prevalence of HLA B27 gene in that population.[1] A recent study reported a mean AS prevalence per 10,000 population as 23.8 cases in Europe, 16.7 in Asia, 31.9 in North America, 10.2 in Latin America and 7.4 in Africa.[2] The exact prevalence, clinical and immunological aspects of AS in Pakistan, is largely unknown as studies pertaining to this are scarce. Another study reported SpA prevalence of 0.9 per 1000 population from Southern part of the country.[4]
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