Factors associated with body function and disability in patients with AS

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J Rheumatol. 2003 Oct;30(10):2186-92.

Factors associated with body function and disability in patients with

ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study.

Falkenbach A, e A, van der Linden S.

Gasteiner Heilstollen Hospital, A-5645 Bad Gastein, Austria.

falke@...

OBJECTIVE: To determine for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

which factors are associated with disability and restricted body

function. METHODS: In 1538 patients with AS, occiput-to-wall distance,

chest expansion, cervical rotation, finger-floor distance, and modified

Schober test were measured cross-sectionally, and for each measure the

patient's respective percentile was calculated. The mean of the 5

percentiles was summarized in the mobility restriction score (MRS). In

addition, patients answered questions on disease progression and

completed the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) questionnaire. All data

were coded into 40 variables, used as independent variables in multiple

regression analyses to identify factors associated with BASFI and MRS.

RESULTS: Finger-to-floor distance (beta positive, +), cervical rotation

(-), time since first AS symptoms (-), age (+), height loss (+), maximum

height (-), delay in diagnosis (+), hip replacement (+), regular

practice of sports (-), chest expansion (-), sex (worse BASFI in

females), exposure to cold and dampness (+), and regular participation

in AS group physical exercises (+) were significantly associated with

worse BASFI. Significantly associated factors for worse MRS were height

loss (+), sex (higher MRS in males), active inflammation of the cervical

region (+), age (+), maximum height (-), active inflammation of the hip

region (+), involvement of shoulders (+), time since first AS symptoms

(+), urethritis (-), regular practice of sports (-), involvement of feet

(-), and hip replacement (+). The models explain 47% of the variance

observed for both the BASFI and MRS.

CONCLUSION: The amount of variance explained for both BASFI and MRS is

rather high. The results apply primarily to groups of patients, but are

insufficient to guide clinical decisions in individual patients. These

findings contribute to our understanding of factors influencing

disability and restriction in body function in AS.

PMID: 14528516

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