ABSTRACT
To assess the functional status among patients with ankylosing spondylitis [AS], using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI] and to find its correlation with clinical measures of spinal mobility, back pain and morning back stiffness. Fifty-two patients with AS attending the outpatients rheumatology clinics were evaluated by assessing:- functional status; the severity of back pain, morning back stiffness; and spinal mobility using clinical measures of spinal flexibility [Shober's maneuver, chest expansion and neck rotation]. Patients with severe morning back stiffness [mean 94.3]; impaired lumbar and cervical mobility [mean Shober's 1.6 cms, cervical rotation 82.4deg.] showed significant impairment of functional status [P value <0.05] compared with those having back pain and limited chest expansion [P value > 0.05]. Poor function is significantly associated with severe morning back stiffness, limited cervical and lumbar mobility, which suggests an important role of these measures in following up AS patients