Background A sufficient alimentation of vitamin D and calcium is essential in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have osteoporosis to a various degree.

Objectives The aim of our study was to look at the influence of nutrition on bone mineral density in our patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods We examined 180 patients with ankylosing spondylitis fulfilled the modified New York criteria. The bone mineral density was measured with DEXA (QDR 4500) at the lumbar spine (LS) and right hip.

Factors of nutrition were examined by a standardised questionnaire.

Results Positive correlations with bone mineral density were only found with wine consumption. However, this correlation was week but was confirmed for both hip and LS bone mineral density measurements.

Conclusion No significant correlations between milk and cheese intake with bone mineral density were found in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Dietetic factors do not seem to influence much bone mineral density in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Only wine consumption was found to have a influence on bone mineral density as is correlated with bone mineral density in our patients with ankylosing spondylitis.