Prasanta Dihingia1, Mriganka Shekhar Chaliha2, Diganta Das3, Bishal Aggarwala4, Mahendra Debbarma5
INTRODUCTION
Ankylosing spondylitis is one of the prototypical examples within the group of seronegative spondyloarthropathies. It is associated with extra-articular manifestations, especially uveitis, and less commonly, cardiac and pulmonary disease. In view of this, the present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of extra-articular manifestations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
MATERIALS & METHODS
A hospital based observational study was done among patients who were admitted or attending various Outpatient Departments of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Rheumatology Clinic in Assam Medical College & Hospital has been enrolled. 65 patients with ankylosing spondylitis, diagnosed on the basis of Modified New York Criteria were taken in the study. Patients age less than 13 and pregnant women were excluded.
RESULTS
This study showed that amongst the extra-articular manifestations, constitutional symptoms were seen in 46(70.77%) patients, acute anterior uveitis was seen in 13(20%) patients, cardiologic manifestations in 4(6.15%) patients, and pulmonary manifestations were seen in 6(9.23%) patients.
CONCLUSION
The study shows that acute anterior uveitis and cardiopulmonary manifestations were found in significant number of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and cardiopulmonary manifestations were found in patients with a longer duration of disease, and that majority of them were asymptomatic.