Table 2

Progression of radiographic damage over time

Progression*No of intervals out of all 2 year intervals (n (%)) (n=520)No of patients during all 2 year intervals (maximum progression)† (n (%)) (n=186)No of patients from the ‘12 year completers’ during all 2 year intervals (maximum progression)† (n (%)) (n=68)No of patients during the first 2 year interval (Y0–Y2) (n (%)) (n=164)
0 mSASSS units204 (39)45 (24)12 (18)75 (46)
>0 and <1 mSASSS units‡0 (0)8 (4)1 (1)11 (7)
≥1 mSASSS unit282 (54)133 (72)54 (79)78 (48)
≥2 mSASSS units (mean progression)§152 (29)86 (46)39 (57)36 (22)
≥1 and <3 mSASSS units161 (31)60 (32)21 (31)20 (12)
≥3 mSASSS units121 (23)73 (39)33 (49)42 (26)
≥3 and <5 mSASSS units58 (11)32 (17)12 (18)16 (10)
≥5 mSASSS units63 (12)41 (22)21 (31)41 (25)
  • *Categories of progression are not mutually exclusive.

  • †Number and proportion of patients whose maximum 2 year progression score, during follow-up (up to 12 years), met the criterion of each of the rows.

  • ‡This category of progression existed because of imputations, which made some status scores, and hence progression scores, have decimal values.

  • §Mean progression taking all 2 year intervals into account.

  • mSASSS, modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score.