Ankylosing Spondylitis Flashcards
describe what ankylosing spondylitis(AS) is
chronic systemic inflammatory disorder, a spondyloarthropathy
what part of the body does ankylosing spondylitis mainly affect
the spine
when does AS usually present
late adolescence or early childhood
what gender is AS more common in
men
what criteria is involved in the modified New York criteria for diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (5)
limited lumbar motion, lower back pain for 3 months, reduced chest expansion, bilateral(grade 2 to 4), unilateral(grade 3 to 4)
what are features of the lower back pain felt in ankylosing spondylitis
improved with exercise, not improved with rest
what are the diagnostic criteria of the ASAS classification of ankylosing spondylitis
Sacrolitis on imaging + 1 or more AS feature
OR
HLA-B27 positive + 2 or more AS features
what are some of the AS features used in the classification of ankylosing spondylitis in the ASAS criteria
inflammatory back pain, arthritis, uveitis, dactylitis, psoriasis, HLA-B27, family history AS
what are the clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis
inflammatory back pain, enthesitis, peripheral arthritis and extra-articular features
what are some of the extra-articular features seen in AS
uveitis, aortic valve involvement, fibrosis upper lung lobes, amyloidosis
describe what syndesmophytes in AS do
fuse the vertebrae of the spine together
how does the shape of the spine differ in AS to a normal spine
it is straight, do to fusion of vertebrae, instead of normal lordosis/kyphosis
what examination techniques are used in AS
tragus/occiput to wall, chest expansion, modified schober test
describe the schober test in AS
2 dots placed approximately at sacroiliac joint, another dot placed 10cm above these, patient then bends over hands on thighs straight legs and distance between dots should be >15cm
what blood tests are done in AS
ESR, CRP, plasma volume, inflammatory markers(raised)
HLA-B27
