Abstract:
The aim: To study the structural and functional state of bone tissue in men with ankylosing spondylitis and to asses its relationship with the course of the disease.
Materials and methods: the study was conducted involving 105 men, aged 40.74 ± 0.87 years and 25 generally healthy individuals of the certain age and sex, who formed
the control group. The functional ability was assessed by the BASFI index and the disease activity was calculated by ASDAS-CRP and BASDAI. Laboratory criteria for the activity of
the inflammatory process were considered erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was determined
by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Results: osteoporosis and osteopenic syndrome were identified in men with ankylosing spondylitis in 27,7% and 29,5% consequently. Disorder of the structural and functional
state of bone tissue was closely related to the total indicators of inflammatory activity in ASDAS-CRP (r = –0,36), BASDAI (r = –0,51), the functional index BASFI (r = –0,30),
C-reactive protein (r = –0,30) and the cumulative dose of glucocorticoids (r = –0.32). The comparative analysis of densitometric parameters in groups of patients depending
on the form of the disease has not shown statistically significant differences.
Conclusions: The decrease in bone mineral density in patients with ankylosing spondylitis does not depend on age and duration of the disease, but is associated with the
cumulative dose of glucocorticoids and high activity of the inflammatory process.
