Baseline characteristics and scores on ASAS core set measures of the study patients (mean (SD))
| Total study group (n=162) | |
|---|---|
| *Median (interquartile range). ASAS, ASsessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis; HLA, human leucocyte antigen; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; BASFI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; VAS, visual analogue scale; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C reactive protein. | |
| Male/female | 112/50 |
| Age (years) | 44.9 (12.3) |
| Duration of complaints (years) | 21.6 (12.0) |
| Time since diagnosis (years) | 11.4 (9.2) |
| HLA-B27 (present/absent/no data) | 105/18/39 |
| History of IBD (present/absent) | 17/145 |
| History of uveitis (present/absent) | 62/100 |
| History of psoriasis (present/absent) | 10/152 |
| BASFI | 3.7 (2.4) |
| VAS pain of the spine (cm) | 3.5 (2.3) |
| Night pain (4 point Likert) | 1.2 (0.8) |
| Chest expansion (cm) | 4.2 (1.9) |
| 10 cm Schober (cm) | 2.6 (1.4) |
| Occiput to wall distance (cm)* | 2.7 (0.0–7.5) |
| VAS patient global (cm) | 3.4 (2.7) |
| Arthritis as measured by swollen joints | |
| (present/absent) | 41/121 |
| ESR (mm/1st h)* | 9 (4–17) |
| CRP (mg/l)* | 7 (6–16) |
| VAS doctor for disease activity (cm) | 1.8 (1.8) |
| VAS doctor for disease activity* (cm) | 1.0 (0.5–2.6) |
| VAS patient for disease activity (cm) | 3.5 (2.6) |
| VAS patient for disease activity* (cm) | 3.0 (1.1–5.2) |
| Duration of morning stiffness (min) | 37 (29) |