Assessments* of patients (n = 40)
| Baseline | Week 14 | Week 38† | Mean change % (0–38 weeks) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAS, visual analogue scale; BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index; BASFI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C reactive protein; SF-36, Short Form-36 items; PCS, physical component score; MCS, mental component score. | ||||
| *Values are means (SD); †to include the three patients who withdrew, the last observation carried forward method was applied; ‡inflammation is represented by the mean of the two morning stiffness related BASDAI VAS scores (intensity and duration). Significance of the change from baselines was measured by analysis of variance of repeated measures, and the post hoc multiple comparison tests were performed for Bonferroni’s test. Statistical significance of metrological variables and SF-36 domains was determined by paired samples Student’s t test with Bonferroni’s correction; §significant differences versus baseline, p<0.05. | ||||
| BASDAI, 0–100 mm VAS | 71 (14) | 34 (23)§ | 37 (23)§ | 48 |
| BASFI, 0–100 mm VAS | 69 (16) | 41 (24)§ | 47 (27)§ | 32 |
| Patient global assessment, 0–100 mm VAS | 79 (13) | 44 (26)§ | 46 (29)§ | 42 |
| Patient pain assessment, 0-100 mm VAS | 86 (11) | 46 (29)§ | 50 (32)§ | 42 |
| Inflammation‡, 0–100 mm VAS | 77 (22) | 32 (26)§ | 36 (27)§ | 53 |
| SF-36: PCS and MCS | 24 and 45 | 48 and 63§ | 100 and 40 | |
| ESR, mm/1st h | 35 (26) | 14 (17)§ | 22 (23)§ | 37 |
| CRP, mg/l | 30.4 (31.9) | 10.6 (18.1)§ | 14.4 (16.6)§ | 53 |
| Metrological variables: | ||||
| Chest expansion, cm | 2.5 (1.2) | – | 3.2 (1.3)§ | 28 |
| Modified Schober, cm | 3.7 (2.8) | – | 4.5 (3.5)§ | 22 |
| Occiput to wall, cm | 5.5 (6.5) | – | 4.6 (5.9) | 16 |
| Fingers to floor distance, cm | 27.9 (14.0) | – | 24.5 (12.2)§ | 12 |