Subluxation of the sacroiliac joints in a black female with ankylosing spondylitis.

A 55-year-old black female with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is described. The patient had a severe flexion attitude secondary to a rotational subluxation at the sacroiliac joints with subsequent bony ankylosis. The sacroiliac abnormality has not been reported in AS patients. Sacroiliac joint laxity during multiple pregnancies might have contributed to the subluxation. The importance of this anatomic site in evaluating the surgical correction of the postural deformities of AS is stressed.     

强直性脊柱炎新的疾病活动性指数在中国患者中的应用价值研究

目的 验证新的强直性脊柱炎(AS)疾病活动性指数(ASDAS)在中国的AS患者中的辨别能力,评估其临床应用价值.方法 本研究共纳入AS患者129例,分别为参加依那西普临床试验的活动期AS患者(87例)和使用类克治疗的AS患者(42例).分别以4个ASDAS、毕氏AS疾病活动指数(BASDA1)及患者总体评价来评价患者的疾病活动性水平和治疗效果.计算标准化的均数差(SMD)分析指标的辨别能力,运用Pearson相关分析.两独立样本t检验与一元线性回归进行统计学处理.结果 无论是基线水平还是治疗6周后的变化程度,4个新的ASDAS均与患者总体评价(r=0.56～0.74)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)(r=0.50～0.80)及C反应蛋白(CRP)(r=0.50～0.69)有较好的相关性.4个ASDAS对AS患者的疾病活动性水平及治疗前后病情变化程度的辨别能力均优于BASDA1、患者总体评价、ESR和CRP.4个ASDAS之间差异无统计学意义.结论 新的ASDAS用于评价我国AS患者的疾病活动性和药物疗效有较高的辨别能力,值得临床推广和应用.     

Population-based estimates of common comorbidities and cardiovascular disease in ankylosing spondylitis

Objective

To study the rate of common comorbidities and cardiovascular disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared with the general population seeking health care.

Methods

This cohort study included 935 subjects (67% men) ages ≥20 years diagnosed with AS and the adult background population in Southern Sweden. During 2004 to 2007 we recorded the occurrence of physicians' diagnostic codes for a select number of comorbidities commonly associated with AS and cardiovascular disease and risk factors. We obtained standardized morbidity‐rate ratios (SMRs) by dividing the observed morbidity rate in AS patients by the expected rate based on the corresponding rate of the disease in the general population of the county seeking health care.

Results

The highest SMRs were found for uveitis (34.35, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 28.55–40.98) and inflammatory bowel disease (9.28, 95% CI 7.07–11.97). Also, we found increased SMRs for ischemic heart diseases (2.20, 95% CI 1.77–2.70), hypertension (1.98, 95% CI 1.72–2.28), and diabetes mellitus (1.41, 95% CI 1.10–1.78). Furthermore, the SMRs for psoriasis, osteoporosis, and atrioventricular blocks were also statistically significantly elevated.

Conclusion

Inflammatory diseases affecting the eye and the digestive system were the most notable comorbidities in AS patients, but the rate for cardiovascular disease was also high. Using comprehensive longitudinal population‐based register data is a promising tool to evaluate the excess consultation rate and total burden of rheumatic disease on patients and society.     

Prevalence of occult inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis.

Fifty-five patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 16 control patients matched for sex and age were examined for evidence of occult inflammatory bowel disease. In all patients evaluation included history and physical examination, barium enema, sigmoidoscopy, and rectal biopsy. The results of this study suggest that there is no increased prevalence of occult inflammatory bowel disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.     

A trial of cyclophosphamide in ankylosing spondylitis with involvement of peripheral joints and high disease activity

In 12 patients with ankylosing spondylitis with involvement of the peripheral joints and high activity of the disease process, cyclophosphamide was given in intravenous doses of 200 mg every second day for 3 weeks, followed by oral doses of 100 mg once weekly for 3 months to a total dose of 3 300 mg. Before this treatment and after 18-24 months the following clinical parameters were determined: spinal mobility, degree of intensity of spinal and articular pains, and the number of involved joints. After the treatment an evident clinical improvement was observed, with decreased values of the laboratory indices of the disease activity. Apart moderate erythrocyturia in one case and transient leukopenia in another case, no other side effects were observed. The improvement in cases with coexistent amyloidosis was relatively small.     

Radiological study of the sacroiliac joints in vertebral ankylosing hyperostosis.

A radiological study of the sacroiliac joints was undertaken in 54 patients (32 males, 22 females) with vertebral ankylosing hyperostosis (VAH) and in 46 control patients (24 males, 22 females) matched for age and sex. The ages ranged from 38 to 90 years. The radiographs were taken in anteroposterior, oblique, and craniocaudal projections. The films were read for cranial, ventral, and caudal capsular ossifications, for ventral and caudal osteophytes, and for bone sclerosis. Cranial and/or ventral capsular ossifications were found in 28 (87.5%) males with VAH and in 4 (16.6%) control males (p less than 0.0005), but only in 2 females with VAH and no control female. Sacroiliac capsular ossifications in males with VaH are frequent from the onset, but complete bridging of the joint is not reached before the sixth decade. Women, either VAH or control, have more sacroiliac osteophytes than men. There were 11 out of 22 control women with osteophytes versus 4 out of 24 men (p less than 0.025). The incidence of osteophytes does not seem to increase with age after 50 years. Our findings support the idea of VAH being a distinct entity and not a major form of osteophytosis.     

CT引导下骶髂关节腔内注射重组人Ⅱ型肿瘤坏死因子受体-抗体融合蛋白治疗强直性脊柱炎的研究

Objective To evaluated intra-articular injection of TNF-α inhibitors into the sacroiliac joint as an effective and viable alternative. Methods Sixteen patients with documented ankylosing spondylitis (AS), without steroids or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were performed CT-guided intra-articular injections of etanercept (TNF-α antagonist) at week 0, 4 and 8 (25 mg per dose). Similarly, 20 patients with AS in the control group received systemic etanercept therapy at a dose of 50 mg per week for 8 weeks. All patients were followed up clinically and evaluated periodically. Pathological features of sacroiliitis were observed with light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Expression of cytokines in joint biopsy samples was estimated by RT-PCR. Image changes of sacroiliitis were observed by SPECT/CT and MRI. Ttest, t'tesr and χ2 Fisher's test were selected. Results All the 16 patients who received intra-articular etanercept, the mean value of radiological nuclide decrease of the SIJ ROI (region of interest) in the SPECT improved significantly after 8 weeks treatment [(1.38±0.16 vs 1.45±0.14) P<0.05] . Bone marrow edema and fat deposition in MRI were relieved significantly after 8 weeks (P<0.05). In 8 patients the expression of TNF-α and TGF-β mRNA in joint tissue decreased significantly after 8 weeks [(0.89±0.06, 0.84±0.05) vs (l.08± 0.19, 1.13±0.33) (P<0.05)]. The occurrence of gynonitis, enthesitis, chondritis, subehondral bony plate destruction, bone marrow inflammation and inflammatory cell index also decreased significantly (P<0.05). Participants given intra-articular injection showed significant clinical improvement after 8 weeks and 12 weeks treatment(P<0.01 ) in BASDAI score [(32±13) mm]. Conclusion This study has shown that intra-articular injection of etanercept in SIJ can improve joint function and quality of life. It has a satisfactory safety profile and is cost effective. This mode of treatment is most beneficial in local arthropathy of recent onset and in those patients who do not tolerate systemic etanercept therapy.     

CT引导下骶髂关节腔内注射重组人Ⅱ型肿瘤坏死因子受体-抗体融合蛋白治疗强直性脊柱炎的研究

Objective To evaluated intra-articular injection of TNF-α inhibitors into the sacroiliac joint as an effective and viable alternative. Methods Sixteen patients with documented ankylosing spondylitis (AS), without steroids or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were performed CT-guided intra-articular injections of etanercept (TNF-α antagonist) at week 0, 4 and 8 (25 mg per dose). Similarly, 20 patients with AS in the control group received systemic etanercept therapy at a dose of 50 mg per week for 8 weeks. All patients were followed up clinically and evaluated periodically. Pathological features of sacroiliitis were observed with light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Expression of cytokines in joint biopsy samples was estimated by RT-PCR. Image changes of sacroiliitis were observed by SPECT/CT and MRI. Ttest, t'tesr and χ2 Fisher's test were selected. Results All the 16 patients who received intra-articular etanercept, the mean value of radiological nuclide decrease of the SIJ ROI (region of interest) in the SPECT improved significantly after 8 weeks treatment [(1.38±0.16 vs 1.45±0.14) P<0.05] . Bone marrow edema and fat deposition in MRI were relieved significantly after 8 weeks (P<0.05). In 8 patients the expression of TNF-α and TGF-β mRNA in joint tissue decreased significantly after 8 weeks [(0.89±0.06, 0.84±0.05) vs (l.08± 0.19, 1.13±0.33) (P<0.05)]. The occurrence of gynonitis, enthesitis, chondritis, subehondral bony plate destruction, bone marrow inflammation and inflammatory cell index also decreased significantly (P<0.05). Participants given intra-articular injection showed significant clinical improvement after 8 weeks and 12 weeks treatment(P<0.01 ) in BASDAI score [(32±13) mm]. Conclusion This study has shown that intra-articular injection of etanercept in SIJ can improve joint function and quality of life. It has a satisfactory safety profile and is cost effective. This mode of treatment is most beneficial in local arthropathy of recent onset and in those patients who do not tolerate systemic etanercept therapy.     

CT引导下骶髂关节腔内注射重组人Ⅱ型肿瘤坏死因子受体-抗体融合蛋白治疗强直性脊柱炎的研究

目的 通过对骶髂关节局部注射重组人Ⅱ型肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)受体-抗体融合蛋白(rhTNFR:Fc)的病理及影像研究,初步评价局部生物制剂治疗的临床疗效和安全性.方法 16例强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者采用单侧骶髂关节腔内注射rhTNFR:Fc的局部治疗方法(每月1次,25 mg/次,共3次,总疗程8周),对比20例全身皮下注射用药组(每周2次,25 mg/次,共16次,总疗程8周),分析其疗效、安全性、耐受性.同时观察注药前后骶髂活检组织细胞因子TNF-α、转化生长因子(TGF)-β、白细胞介素(IL)-6 mRNA的表达和光镜、免疫组织化学的变化,以及单光子发射计算机断层(SPECT)和磁共振成像(MRI)在代谢和宏观形态学上的改变.采用t检验或t'检验及χ2 Fisher's 精确检验或秩和检验.结果 rhTNFR:Fc局部注射显示:①治疗组在12周后Bath强直性脊柱炎疾病活动指数(BASDAI)评分(32±13)mm、疲乏(40±16)mm、晨僵(35±16)min、骶髂关节局部压痛(34±22)mm、患者总体评价VAS评分(40±17)mm上有明显改善(P<0.01),不良反应减少,并能节省医疗费用.②治疗后活检组织TNF-α、TGF-βmRNA相对表达量(0.891±0.06,0.84±0.05)较治疗前(1.08±0.19,1.13±0.33)明显下降(P<0.05),IL-6 mRNA相对表达量无明显改变(P>0.05).光镜下表现的滑膜炎、附着点炎、软骨变性、软骨下骨板破坏、骨髓炎的阳性率有所下降,而炎症细胞指数明显下降(z=-2.71,P<0.05).③治疗后骶髂关节放射学核素(ROI)的平均值(1.38±0.16)较治疗前(1.45±0.14)明显减少(P<0.05),MRI上的骨髓水肿、脂肪沉积等改变明显减轻(P<0.05).结论 骶髂关节腔注射rhTNFR:Fc,具有良好的疗效、安全性、耐受性及疗效经济学价值,特别有益于病变早期或局限于骶髂关节病变、不能耐受全身使用生物制剂的AS患者,临床推广应用前景.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine and the sacroiliac joints in ankylosing spondylitis and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis during treatment with etanercept

OBJECTIVE: To assess the changes in inflammatory lesions of the spine and the sacroiliac (SI) joints as detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA) with predominant axial symptoms during treatment with etanercept. METHODS: MRI of the spine and/or the SI joints of patients with active AS or axial uSpA was performed at baseline (TP0, n = 25), after 6 weeks (TP1, n = 20), and after 24 weeks of continuous treatment with etanercept (TP2, n = 12). T1 weighted spin echo pre -(T1), post-gadolinium (T1/Gd-DTPA) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) MRI sequences were used to assess chronic and active spinal lesions using the scoring system ASspiMRI. Active and chronic SI lesions were assessed using a simple scoring system. RESULTS: By use of the definite STIR sequence, significant regression of spinal inflammation was already seen already after 6 weeks in the patients treated with etanercept (mean (SD) 11.2 (13.8) at TP0 v 6.8 (7.9) at TP1; p = 0.023) but not in patients treated with placebo. Continuous treatment with etanercept for 24 weeks reduced active spinal changes by 69% (p = 0.012). T1/Gd-DTPA sequences gave similar results. There was only a trend for a decrease of active inflammatory lesions of the SI joints. CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept treatment in patients with active AS and uSpA leads to regression of active inflammatory lesions of the spine as depicted by MRI. The potential role of etanercept on deceleration of chronic spinal changes needs further study.     

强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变的CT诊断价值

目的 探讨CT扫描对强直性脊柱炎（AS）骶髂关节病变的诊断价值及年龄特征对CT表现的影响。方法 收集780例根据临床表现和／或实验室检查疑诊AS,并且骶髂关节的X线及CT资料完整者为研究对象。分别参照X线及CT片对其进行了分级和征象统计,并以＜40岁（第1组513例）和≥40岁（第2组267例）将其分为两组,进行分级及CT表现差异的比较。结果 本组X线诊断为0－Ⅳ级骶髂关节病变的各组中,CT结果与之符合的比率分别为44％、35％、49％、71％和77％。根据CT所示可以分别将56％、29％、33％X线平片诊断正常及Ⅰ、Ⅱ级病变的病例提高1－2个诊断级别。第1组0－Ⅰ组所占比率明显高于第2组,而Ⅱ组比率则远低于第2组。第1组骨性关节面硬化、模糊的发生率明显低于第2组。结论 CT扫描对AS骶髂关节病变的诊断具有重要价值。CT与平片的区别在于细微征象的显示率高,对较早期的病变可以提高诊断等级,同时也有利于治疗析观察。本研究的分组分析结果提示在对骶髂关节的CT片进行分析时亦应将年龄因素导致的退行性表现考虑在内。     

Quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy in ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn''s disease: a single family study.

A single family is presented in which 2 of the 3 sibs and 3 of 9 first degree relatives had Crohn's disease. Two subjects with Crohn's disease had classical ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and HLA typing revealed HLA B27 in all 5 members of the immediate family. The value of quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy (QSS) in clinical practice is demonstrated. Both patients with AS had evidence of currently active sacroiliac disease in association with radiological change. One symptomatic sib had QSS evidence of sacroiliitis without radiological abnormality.     

Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. I. Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis.

To establish the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 79 AS patients underwent detailed medical screening, including sigmoidoscopic and roentgenological examination, 48 had gastrointestinal symptoms and the others did not. In 3 patients a diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made which was previously established. In all other patients inflammatory bowel disease could be excluded. The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in this series of patients with AS therefore was 3.8%.     

强直性脊柱炎伴发炎症性肠病的临床资料分析

目的分析强直性脊柱炎(AS)伴发炎症性肠病(IBD)的临床特征及功能状态,探讨AS合并与未合并IBD者间的差异,提高对其的认识,为临床诊疗提供依据。方法从脊柱关节炎智能管理系统中选2016年4月至2017年6月连续就诊于解放军总医院第一医学中心风湿科门诊就诊的AS患者,通过消化内镜或病理检查确诊(包括溃疡性结肠炎、克罗恩病)IBD。分析其临床资料,包括一般资料、病情评估、实验室检查、疾病严重程度评价。结果共纳入893例AS患者,男739例,女154例,年龄(30.8±8.8)岁。AS合并IBD者64例,未合并IBD者829例。合并IBD者年龄高于未合并IBD者[(34.5±7.5)岁比(30.5±8.8)岁,P<0.001],病程长于未合并IBD者[(10.8±6.9)年比(8.1±5.9)年,P=0.001]。合并IBD者更易出现颈椎[21.9%(14/64)比10.5%(87/829),P=0.006]、胸椎[29.7%(19/64)比12.3%(102/829),P<0.001]受累,且易合并葡萄膜炎[28.1%(18/64)比16.4%(136/829),P=0.017]和银屑病[7.8%(5/64)比2.3%(19/829),P=0.009]。合并IBD者Bath AS疾病活动度(BASDAI)、Bath AS功能指数(BASFI)、国际脊柱关节炎评价协会健康指数(ASAS HI)均高于未合并IBD者[BASDAI:3.3±2.1比2.4±1.8,P<0.001;BASFI:2.2(1.0,3.3)比1.1(0.2,2.4),P<0.001;ASAS HI:7.1±4.3比5.3±3.7,P=0.001]。结论合并IBD的AS患者疾病活动度更高,机体功能和总体健康指数更差,发生银屑病和葡萄膜炎的机会增加。     

The natural disease course of ankylosing spondylitis

One hundred fifty war veterans with ankylosing spondylitis were entered into a prospective study in 1947. In 1957, 142 were traced, and they have been reviewed periodically. Eighty-one of these patients were still alive in 1980. Information was obtained from 67 (83%) of the survivors and 51 were reexamined. This report is based on the clinical findings in these 51 patients, who have a mean disease duration of 38 years. Forty-seven (92%) were functioning well. The disease in 21 (41%) had progressed to cause severe spinal restriction. Of those, 12 had peripheral joint involvement early in their course and 9 had iritis. Seventy-four percent of the patients who had mild spinal restriction after 10 years did not progress to having more severe restriction. Eighty-one percent of the patients who had severe spinal restriction in 1980 were severely restricted within the first 10 years. Hips that were normal after 10 years of disease did not become diseased subsequently. This study suggests that a predictable pattern of ankylosing spondylitis emerges within the first 10 years of the disease.