The relation between functional parameters, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study

• Autor(a) principal: Lopes, Sofia Manuela da Rocha
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Duarte, José Alberto Ramos, Santos, Paula Clara, Mesquita, Cristina Teresa Torrão Carvalho
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/20927
• topic: Ankylosing spondylitis; Functionality; Biomarkers; Inflammation; Pain

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease characterised by inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints and stiffness, which leads to a progressive decline in the quality of life of individuals. Bath indices are considered the principal functional outcome measure and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are the most widely used biomarkers in AS to assess disease activity. To characterise individuals with AS and to examine the association between functional parameters and biomarkers. Thirty-one patients were recruited from the National Association of Ankylosing Spondylitis (ANEA) – Centre of northern region of Portugal, between February 2014 and June 2015, to be included in the present study. The Bath indices [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI)], the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and laboratory parameters such as ESR and CRP were analysed. The participants’ mean age was 42.77 (±14.37) years, with 18 (58.1%) women and 13 (41.9%) men. The mean scores were 3.55 (BASDAI), 2.78 (BASFI) and 2.58 (BASMI). The final mean scores were 25.81± 18.36 (NDI) and 23.29±15.32 (ODI). We found a negative association between ESR and BASDAI (β=-0.038, p=0.025), and between ESR and BASFI (β=-0.044, p=0.013). As to CRP, there was no statistically significant association between Bath indices. This cross-sectional study in AS patients demonstrated that, on the one hand, this sample had a high education level, having been diagnosed with AS for more than 15 years, with a moderate disability and, on the other hand, with the adjustment of education level and years since diagnosis, there was an association between ESR and BASDAI and BASFI scores.