Bone mineral content and risk of vertebral fractures in ankylosing spondylitis

ABSTRACT

Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures are encountered in ankylosing spondylitis. This study was undertaken to visualize whether such is due to the disease itself or due to mechanical factors and limited mobility. The study was performed on 26 ankylosing spondylitis patients recruited from the Out-patient Clinic of the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Departments of Al-Azhar and Al-Menya Universities Hospitals. Sixteen of them had the disease for less than 10 years [G1] and ten had it for more than 10 years [G2]. Twenty-five apparently normal staff members matched in age and sex were taken as a control group. Patients underwent medical history taking, clinical examination, metreological assessment, radiological evaluation according to New York criteria, determination of vertebral fractures according to Black et al. [1991] as well as DEXA examination of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and wrist. There was a reduction of BMC in all of the studied areas lumbar spine, femoral neck and distal forearm in AS patients. Two out of sixteen [12.50%] patients with mild AS [<10 years] had vertebral fractures as compared with three out of twelve [25%] patients with AS [>10 Years] and one out of 25 controls [4%]. No significant correlation was observed between vertebral fractures and BMC in any of the examined areas