Ankylosing Spondylitis - Week 21

Question 1

What is Ank Spon?

Answer 1

spondyloarthritis that leads to inflammation of the spine

Question 2

Epidemiology of Ank Spon?

Answer 2

Rare
More common in caucasian men
20-30 years old

Question 3

Pathophysiology of Ank Spon?

Answer 3

Affects the enthesis in the spine

Question 4

Presentation of skeletal features?

Answer 4

Gradual onset of lower back pain >3months
Early am stiffness in back >30mins
Night pain in 2nd half of night
Back pain that improves with exercise
Alternating buttock pain
Question-mark posture

Question 5

Presentation of extra-skeletal features?

Answer 5

4As:
Acute uveitis
Aortic incompetence
Apical lung fibrosis
Amyloidosis

Question 6

Investigations into ankylosing spondylitis ?

Answer 6

FBC (anaemia), elevated ESR, elevated CRP, RF negative
MRI
(may have normal X-rays)

Question 7

Management of ankylosing spondylitis?

Answer 7

NSAIDS
anti-TNF
Exercise
Physio

Question 8

Prognosis of ankylosing spondylitis?

Answer 8

Varied

Question 9

Epidemiology of Ank Spon?

Answer 9

Rare
Common in young Caucasian men

Question 10

X-ray presentation of Ank Spon?

Answer 10

Bamboo spine
Loss of curvature of spine
Shiny corners on vertebrae bodies

Question 11

What test is used for spinal exam for Lumbar assessment?

Answer 11

Schobers test