Year: 2003
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic progressive inflammation disease that is characterized mainly by axial skeleton affection, which tends to produce ankylosis.The main treatment includes both drug treatment and physiotherapy.The changes associated with AS are well known and documented.There is also evidence for soft tissue involvement and muscle changes.Both spine mobility and muscle strength measures are widely used in assessing diagnostic process and monitoring the course of treatment.The primary purpose of this study was to examine the associations between mobility and strength measures and to clarify the relationships of disease activity with muscle strength and joint mobility of patients with AS.The data was collected from 80 patient files including data of physical function examined by physiotherapists.Included 69 patients were divided in this cross-sectional study in three groups (under 0.5 yrs, 1-9 yrs and 10-20 yrs) according to duration of disease.Patients had been treated in rheumatology ward of Central Hospital of Jyväskylä in 1993-2001.The mean age of the patients was 39 years and AS was diagnosed for an average 3,5 years before testing.Nine spine mobility and five muscle strength measurements were correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), morning stiffness and pain.Age adjusted Spearman correlation coefficient was used in this analysis.In mobility and strength test comparison correlations were Sidac adjusted.Modified Schober test showed a significant correlation with sit-up test after adjustment for age(r = 0.61; p < 0.001).Also chest expansion, thoracolumbal lateral flexion and cervical rotation tests showed significant correlations (r = 0.40; p < 0.05) with dynamic arch-up, sit-up and repetitive squatting.Occiput-wall -distance was only age adjusted mobility measurement that correlated with ESR (r = 0.40; p = 0.013) and pain (r = -0.43;p = 0.010).Age adjusted sit-up test correlated with pain (r = -0.55;p = 0.006) and upper-extremities repetition test correlated with morning stiffness (r = -0.49;p = 0.014).The study showed some association between parameters of disease activity, mobility-and strength measurements.Results failed to show which measurements would be appropriate in different stage of disease.Wide measurement patter is needed especially in early state of disease, because symptoms and disease progression are very individual and varying.These baseline measurements can also be used for the later follow-ups.
Author: Hanna Hiltula
Language: Finnish
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2337523682