Ankylosing spondylitis coexisting with Clonorchis sinensis infection: A case report

BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease.The prevailing theory links AS onset to infections in susceptible individuals.Furthermore,infections may impair the immune responses.Numerous studies have investigated links between AS and various infections-bacterial,viral,fungal,and other microorganism infections.However,limited attention has been given to the association between AS and Clonorchis sinensis(C.sinensis)infection.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old male with a 10-yr history of AS presented to our hospital with inflammatory lower back pain as the primary manifestation.Ten years ago,the patient had achieved a stable condition after treatment with biological agents.However,he experienced a recurrence of lumbosacral pain with an unexplained cause 10 d before hospital admission.A lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scan revealed bone marrow edema in the left sacroiliac joint,and laboratory indicators were elevated.Moreover,the presence of C.sinensis eggs was detected in the stool.The patient was prescribed praziquantel,resulting in the disap-pearance of C.sinensis eggs in subsequent routine stool tests and relief from lumbosacral pain.A follow-up MRI scan performed after 4 months revealed a reduction in bone marrow edema around the left sacroiliac joint.CONCLUSION C.sinensis infections could potentially trigger the exacerbation of AS.Clinicians should pay attention to investigating the presence of infections.INTRODUCTION Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is a chronic inflammatory and rheumatic disease resulting from an imbalance between innate and acquired immune responses[1].While it can affect any part of the spine,its primary symptoms are persistent back pain and stiffness in the lower back and pelvis.The prevalence of AS per 10000 individuals is 23.8 in Europe,31.9 in North America,16.7 in Asia,10.2 in Latin America,and 7.4 in Africa[2].Infections commonly occur in the first 3 months and may act as potential triggers for the first symptoms of AS,often manifesting as gastrointestinal,urinary tract,and respiratory infections of microbiological origin[3,4].Clonorchis sinensis(C.sinensis)infection is a severe parasitic disease affecting millions globally,especially prevalent in China,South Korea,the Far East of Russia,and Vietnam,with an estimated 15 million cases[5].Transmission occurs through the consumption of undercooked freshwater fish containing metacercariae.Adult C.sinensis parasites then establish themselves within the human hepatobiliary system[6].C.sinensis infection triggers the activation of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2,leading to the injury and fibrosis of the hepatobiliary[7].Recent research in a rat model found that C.sinensis infection increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma by stimulating hepatic progenitor cell proliferation[8].Complications of C.sinensis infection include cholestasis,cholangitis,biliary system fibrosis,and in severe cases,the development of cholangiocarcinoma[9].Consequently,the primary preventive measure is to abstain from consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish.Praziquantel is the recommended and effective treatment for this infection[10].While there is existing literature on the coexistence of AS and parasitic infections,there is limited research specifically addressing the simultaneous presence of AS and C.sinensis infection.This case report details a rare scenario of AS coexisting with C.sinensis infection,underscoring the potential impact of C.sinensis infection on AS disease activity.

Hounsfield units in assessing bone mineral density in ankylosing spondylitis patients with cervical fracture-dislocation

BACKGROUND Cervical spine fracture-dislocations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)are mostly unstable and require surgery.However,osteoporosis,one of the comorbidities for AS,could lead to detrimental prognoses.There are few accurate assessments of bone mineral density in AS patients.AIM To analyze Hounsfield units(HUs)for assessing bone mineral density in AS patients with cervical fracture-dislocation.METHODS The HUs from C2 to C7 of 51 patients obtained from computed tomography(CT)scans and three-dimensional reconstruction of the cervical spine were independently assessed by two trained spinal surgeons and statistically analyzed.Inter-reader reliability and agreement were assessed by interclass correlation coefficient.RESULTS The HUs decreased gradually from C2 to C7.The mean values of the left and right levels were significantly higher than those in the middle.Among the 51 patients,25 patients(49.02%)may be diagnosed with osteoporosis,and 16 patients(31.37%)may be diagnosed with osteopenia.CONCLUSION The HUs obtained by cervical spine CT are feasible for assessing bone mineral density with excellent agreement in AS patients with cervical fracture-dislocation.

Effects of serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores on ankylosing spondylitis patients with sleep disorder

BACKGROUND Patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)frequently suffer from comorbid sleep disorders,exacerbating the burden of the disease and affecting their quality of life.AIM To investigate the clinical significance of serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores in patients with AS complicated by sleep disorders.METHODS A total of 106 AS patients with comorbid sleep disorders were included in the study.The patients were grouped into the desirable and undesirable prognosis groups in accordance with their clinical outcomes.The serum levels of inflammatory factors,including C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,interleukin(IL)-6,tumour necrosis factor-αand IL-1β,were measured.Disease activity scores,such as the Bath AS functional index,Bath AS disease activity index,Bath AS metrology index and AS disease activity score,were assessed.The health index was obtained through the Short Form-36 questionnaire.RESULTS The study found significant associations amongst serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores in AS patients with comorbid sleep disorders.Positive correlations were found between serum inflammatory factors and disease activity scores,indicating the influence of heightened systemic inflammation on disease severity and functional impairment.Conversely,negative correlations were found between disease activity scores and health index parameters,highlighting the effect of disease activity on various aspects of healthrelated quality of life.Logistic regression analysis further confirmed the predictive value of these factors on patient outcomes,underscoring their potential utility in risk assessment and prognostication.CONCLUSION The findings demonstrate the intricate interplay amongst disease activity,systemic inflammation and patientreported health outcomes in AS patients complicated by sleep disorders.The results emphasise the need for comprehensive care strategies that address the diverse needs and challenges faced by these patients and underscore the potential relevance of serum inflammatory factors,health index and disease activity scores as prognostic markers in this patient population.

Research Progress in the Treatment of New Bone Formation of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)has a very high disability rate.How to effectively inhibit the formation of new bones has become a difficult point in clinical treatment.In recent years,research has shown that different treatment plans can have an impact on inhibiting new bone formation.In this paper,the different effects of new bone formation in the treatment of AS with traditional Chinese and Western medicine are systematically listed.

Ultrasound-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection in a patient with manubriosternal joint involvement of ankylosing spondylitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Manubriosternal joint(MSJ)disease is a rare cause of anterior chest pain but can be a major sign of systemic arthritic involvement.In patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS),a type of systemic arthritis,chest pain can be due to MSJ involvement and can be improved by ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection into the joint.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old man visited our pain clinic complaining of anterior chest pain.There were no abnormal findings on lateral sternum X-ray,but arthritic changes in the MSJ were observed on single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography.We performed additional laboratory tests,and he was finally diagnosed with AS.For pain relief,we performed ultrasound-guided intra-articular(IA)corticosteroid injections into the MSJ.After the injections,his pain nearly resolved.CONCLUSION For patients complaining of anterior chest pain,AS should be considered,and single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography can be helpful in diagnosis.In addition,ultrasound-guided IA corticosteroid injections may be effective for pain relief.

Intravoxel incoherent motion and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for assessing abnormalities of brucellosis spondylitis without conventional MRI changes

Objective To observe the value of intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM)and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI(DCE-MRI)for assessing abnormalities of brucellosis spondylitis(BS)without conventional MRI changes.Methods Data of 36 brucellosis patients with definite spinal lesions displayed on conventional MRI(BS 1 group),14 cases without brucellosis infection nor abnormal spinal signals on MRI(control group)and 36 brucellosis patients without definite spinal lesions on conventional MRI(BS 2 group)were retrospectively analyzed.The values of IVIM parameters,including perfusion fraction(f),pure water diffusion coefficient(D)and pseudo-diffusion coefficient(D*),also of DCE-MRI parameters,including time-intensity curve(TIC)type,volume transport constant(K trans),the rate constant(K ep)and volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space per unit tissue volume(V e)were compared among groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent factors for discriminating BS 1 and BS 2.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,and the areas under the curve(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the efficiency of the above parameters for discriminating BS 1 and BS 2.Results Among IVIM parameters,compared with control group,D*values decreased but D values increased in BS 1 group,while D*values increased in BS 2 group(all adjusted P<0.05).Compared with BS 2 group,BS 1 group had higher values of f and D and lower D*(all adjusted P<0.05).In BS 1 group,the TIC types were predominantly typeⅠ(23/36,63.89%),which were wholly or predominantly typeⅢin BS 2 group and control group,and of the former was significantly different with latter 2(both adjusted P<0.05).Compared with control group,K trans increased progressively in both BS 1 and BS 2 groups(both adjusted P<0.05).BS 1 group had lower K ep and higher V e than BS 2 and control groups(all adjusted P<0.05).Among univariate logistic regression models,the model including only f had lower capability for discriminating BS 1 and BS 2(AUC=0.759)than those including D,K trans and V e(AUC=0.951,0.833,0.894,all P<0.05).No significant different was found among multivariate logistic regression model including f and D,model including K trans and V e nor model including all above parameters(all P>0.05).Conclusion Both IVIM and DCE-MRI could be used to evaluate BS abnormality without conventional MRI changes.

Advances in Research of Ankylosing Spondylitis with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This paper reviews the advances in research of co-pathogenesis and clinical treatment of ankylosing spondylitis(AS)and inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),in order to offer ideal therapeutic effects for comorbid patients and to provide new ideas for clinical practice.

Use of Ilizarov technique for bilateral knees flexion contracture in Juvenile-onset ankylosing spondylitis: A case report

BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is a chronic rheumatic disease that primarily affects the spine and the sacroiliac and peripheral joints.Juvenile-onset AS(JoAS)patients will likely present with peripheral joint symptoms.Knee flexion contracture(KFC)and hip flexion contracture(HFC)are common in these patients due to subchondral bone inflammation.The Ilizarov technique is the most commonly used technique for treating KFC.However,its use to treat JoAS-associated KFC has not been reported.CASE SUMMARY This report presents a case study of a 31-year-old male patient with a squatting gait due to severe bilateral KFC and HFC.The patient had a normal walking pattern until the age of eight,after which he experienced knee and hip pain,leading to the gradual development of KFC and HFC.The patient’s primary complaint was an inability to walk upright.The patient was diagnosed with JoAS and under-went hip dissection and release,limited soft tissue release of the hamstring,and gradual traction using the Ilizarov method.Ultimately,the patient was able to walk upright.CONCLUSION The incidence of squatting gait due to KFC in individuals diagnosed with JoAS was low.Utilizing the Ilizarov technique has proven to be a secure and effective method for managing KFC in JoAS patients.Although the Ilizarov technique cannot substitute for total knee arthroplasty(TKA),its application can delay the need for primary TKA in JoAS patients and alleviate the intricacy and potential complications associated with the procedure.

Clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis associated with acute anterior uveitis in Chinese patients

AIM: To characterize the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Chinese patients. METHODS: Two hundred and three patients with uveitis associated with AS followed-up in the Third Military Medical University Daping Hospital between 2005 and 2010 were retrospectively evaluated in this study. Complete ophthalmological examinations were evaluated at baseline and during the follow-up period. The gender, age, follow-up time, mean frequency of uveitis onset, and accompanying eye examination findings, history, demographical parameters were reviewed. All the patients presented complete clinical and radiologic (sacroiliac, lumbar, dorsal and cervical spine, knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, elbow) evaluation. HLA-B27 typing was also searched. RESULTS: There were 203 patients diagnosed with AS associated welt's. All showed sacroiliac X-ray changes indicative of AS. There were 184 male and 19 female patients. The average age of patients was 35 +/- 12 (range 18-50). Mean follow-up period was 2.4 years (1-5 years). Acute anterior wets was the most common type of uveitis in both genders. 121 eyes presented unilateral involvement (55.2%), and 92 eyes presented bilateral involvement (45.3%) with onset alternately. 22 eyes occurred hypopyon, 16 eyes were found anterior vitreous cells, 7 eyes were noted reactive macular edema or exudation, 29 eyes presented posterior synechiae of iris, and 14 eyes presented cataract, 9 eyes presented secondary glaucoma, 2 eyes presented bend corneal degeneration and 1 eyes presented atrophy of eyeball. At the final visit, uveitis was well controlled in most patients. CONCLUSION: AS associated with uveitis in Chinese patients mainly manifests as acute anterior uveitis. A combination of corticosteroids with other mydriasis agents is effective for most AS associated with uveitis patients. In general, the prognosis is good in these cases.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of enthesitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

The aim of this study was to assess sensitivity and responsiveness of power Doppler ultrasound （PDUS） in detecting enthesitis for ankylosing spondylitis （AS） patients compared to clinical examinations. Twenty AS patients initiating etanerceptunderwent clinical and PDUS examinations of six bilateral entheseal sites at baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment. Clinical and PDUS examinations identified at least one entheseal lesion in nine （45%） and 19 （95%） patients, respectively. Furthermore, of 240 entheseal sites examined in these 20 patients, PDUS detected 123 entheseal lesions （51.3% of sites）, compared with only 47 entheseal lesions （19.6%） detected by clinical examination （P〈0.05）. The entheseal lesions found on PDUS were most commonly identified by calcification （33.3%）, tendon edema （29.2%）, abnormal blood flow （25.8%）, a thickened tendon （22.1%）, cortical irregularity （12.9%）, bony erosions （9.6%） and bursitis at the tendon insertion to the bone cortex （7.1%）. Improvements in clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters, and significant decreases in PDUS scores were observed following treatment with etanereept. Improvements in PDUS scores continued during follow-up in patients who entered remission following treatment. In conclusion, PDUS improves detection of structural and inflammatory abnormalities of the enthesis in AS compared to physical examination. In addition, PDUS may be useful inascertaining medications.

Ankylosing spondylitis complicated with andersson lesion in the lower cervical spine: A case report

BACKGROUND Andersson lesion(AL)is an uncommon complication in ankylosing spondylitis(AS),which is characterized by nonneoplastic bone destruction and often appears as bone destruction and sclerosis in the vertebral body and/or the area involving the intervertebral disc.According to the literature,Andersson lesion commonly occur in the thoracic and lumbar spine and rarely in the cervical spine.CASE SUMMARY This case involved a 78-year-old man with a long history of AS who developed AL in the cervical spine(C5/6 and C6/7).One-stage anterior-posterior approach surgery was successfully performed.At the 6-month follow-up,the pain was significantly reduced,and the limb function was gradually improved.CONCLUSION AL uncharacteristically appears in the cervical spine and tends to be misdiagnosed as vertebral metastases or spinal tuberculosis.Posterior combined with anterior surgery achieves solid biological stabilization in the treatment of AL bone destruction.

Total hip arthroplasty in fused hips with spine stiffness in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is characterized by involvement of the spine and hip joints with progressive stiffness and loss of function.Functional impairment is significant,with spine and hip involvement,and is predominantly seen in the younger age group.Total hip arthroplasty(THA)for fused hips with stiff spines in AS results in considerable improvement of mobility and function.Spine stiffness associated with AS needs evaluation before THA.Preoperative assessment with lateral spine radiographs shows loss of lumbar lordosis.Spinopelvic mobility is reduced with change in sacral slope from sitting to standing less than 10 degrees conforming to the stiff pattern.Care should be taken to reduce acetabular component anteversion at THA in these fused hips,as the posterior pelvic tilt would increase the risk of posterior impingement and anterior dislocation.Fused hips require femoral neck osteotomy,true acetabular floor identification and restoration of the hip center with horizontal and vertical offset to achieve a good functional outcome.Cementless and cemented fixation have shown comparable long-term results with the choice dependent on bone stock at THA.Risks at THA in AS include intraoperative fractures,dislocation,heterotopic ossification,among others.There is significant improvement of functional scores and quality of life following THA in these deserving young individuals with fused hips and spine stiffness.

Research progress on the regulation mechanism of non-coding RNA on ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is a chronic progressive inflammatory immune disease,which mainly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints,with a high rate of late disability.At present,because the pathogenesis of the disease is not clear,its treatment targets are not clear,and there is no consensus on intervention measures.Therefore,further exploration of the mechanism of the disease has certain guiding significance for clinical application.At the same time,non-coding RNA can regulate protein translation,participate in the physiological and pathological changes of AS,and is closely related to the progress of AS.Its internal mechanism and potential targets are worthy of in-depth study.This article summarizes the research progress of non-coding RNA involved in AS through the regulation of bone metabolism,inflammation,cell death and autophagy,in order to provide a theoretical basis for exploring potential clinical diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets of AS.

Ankylosing Spondylitis in a West African Hospital

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by predominant axial and peripheral (enthesitis, sacroiliitis) involvement affecting young subjects aged 30 to 40 years, 80% to 98% of cases are associated with HLA-B27. Objective: To determine the epidemiological profile of ankylosing spondylitis in the rheumatology department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital in Conakry (Guinea). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out within the said department over a period of 18 months from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020, including all patients seen in consultation and/or hospitalized in the department in which the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis had been retained according to the modified New York criterion. The parameters studied were sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic. Result: We collected 73 cases or 4.1% of ankylosing spondylitis out of a total of 1781 patients seen during the study period. The male gender was represented with 54.8% for a sex ratio of 1.2 M/F. The average age of our patients was 32.18 ± 12.44 years with extremes ranging from 17 to 54 years. Axial involvement was present in 89.9% of cases with a lumbar predominance (95.2%), followed by the sacroiliac seat (35.5%), cervical (14.5%) and dorsal at 4.8%. The pain was chronic in 93.2% of cases. The most common drug treatment was taking analgesics and NSAIDs (100%) followed by cortisone infiltration (41.1%), corticosteroids (30%), and physiotherapy (21.9%). Ankylosing spondylitis represents 83% of spondyloarthritis followed by undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (9.1%) and juvenile spondylitis (3.4%) were the most common conditions.

Overview of Research on the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis in Chinese Medicine

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), also known as spondylitis, is a rheumatic disorder that develops gradually in the sacroiliac, lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine and can involve peripheral joints in severe cases. The disease is insidious, starting in the sacroiliac and hip joints and gradually involving the entire spine. AS, also known as seronegative arthritis, is primarily due to a negative response to the susceptibility sheep blood clotting test (RF). Until the 1960s, it was known as “central rheumatoid arthritis” and “rheumatoid spondylitis”. At present, modern medicine has no effective treatment for this disease, but Chinese medicine treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is based on the concept of treating both the symptoms and the underlying cause of the disease, with few side effects and significant clinical effects, and has become a research hotspot in recent years, worthy of further investigation.

Occurrence of human leukocyte antigen B51-related ankylosing spondylitis in a family:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is strongly associated with the human leukocyte antigen(HLA)B27 haplotype.In regions where conventional polymerase chain reaction for HLA typing is available for antigens such as HLA B27 or HLA B51,it is common to perform the HLA B27 test for evaluation of AS.While HLA B27-associated clustered occurrences of AS have been reported in families,we report the first case series of HLA B51-related occurrences of AS in a family.CASE SUMMARY A father and his daughters were diagnosed with AS and did not have the HLA B27 haplotype.Although they were positive for HLA B51,they exhibited no signs of Behçet’s disease(BD).Of the five daughters,one had AS,and three,including the daughter with AS,were positive for HLA B51.The two daughters with the HLA B51 haplotype(excluding the daughter with AS)exhibited bilateral grade 1 sacroiliitis,whereas the daughters without the HLA B51 haplotype did not have sacroiliitis.Thus,this Korean family exhibited a strong association with the HLA B51 haplotype and clinical sacroiliitis,irrespective of the symptoms of BD.CONCLUSION It is advisable to check for HLA B51 positivity in patients with AS/spondyloarthropathy who test negative for HLA B27.

Concurrent ankylosing spondylitis and myelodysplastic syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is an autoimmune disease characterized by sacroiliitis and spondylitis,with a few hematological abnormalities.Myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS)are a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders with frequent autoimmune phenomena.The relationship between AS and MDS remains unknown.CASE SUMMARY We describe a rare case of concurrent AS and MDS.An 18-year-old man with low back pain and anemia was diagnosed with AS;however,the cause of anemia could not be determined by the first bone marrow examination.He recovered from anemia and the symptoms of AS resolved after treatment with etanercept,glucocorticoid,and blood transfusion,but he developed pancytopenia with an increased myeloblast count(from 2.5%to 9%).Chromosome analysis revealed del(7q)and trisomy 8.Refractory anemia with excess of blasts-1(RAEB-1)/MDS was confirmed by repeating the bone marrow examination.He became blood transfusion-dependent and received decitabine-based chemotherapy but eventually died.CONCLUSION We suspect that AS may be an early autoimmune phenomenon related to MDS.However,a condition of coexistence cannot be excluded.

Functional and clinical outcome with modified lateral approach total hip arthroplasty in stiff hips with ankylosing spondylitis

BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis at total hip arthroplasty(THA)has significant hip stiffness with flexion deformity,restricted mobility,and function.Range of movement(ROM)improvement with good functional outcome is seen following THA in these hips.The modified Hardinge approach without abductor compromise is helpful in these stiff hips with associated flexion deformity.AIM To assess improvement in ROM and functional outcomes with a modified lateral approach THA in ankylosing spondylitis with stiff hips.METHODS A total of 69 hips that underwent THA with a modified Hardinge approach in 40 patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 38.33 mo.All individuals ambulated with weight-bearing as tolerated and ROM exercises from the 1st postoperative day.Modified Harris hip score and ROM were assessed during follow-up.Quality of life assessments using the 36-item and 12-item short form health surveys were done along with clinical and functional outcomes at followup.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.The correlation of ROM and functional score change was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.RESULTS Sixty-nine hips with a significant decrease in ROM preoperatively with 32 clinically fused hips showed significant improvement in flexion range.The mean flexion in 69 hips improved from 29.35±31.38 degrees to 102.17±10.48 degrees.The mean difference of 72.82 with a P value<0.0001 was significant.In total,45 out of 69 hips had flexion deformity,with 13 hips having a deformity above 30 degrees.The flexion during the follow-up was below 90 degrees in 3 hips.Eleven hips had flexion of 90 degrees at follow-up,while the remaining 55 hips had flexion above 100 degrees.Modified Harris hip score improved from 17.03±6.02 to 90.66±7.23(P value<0.0001).The 36-item short form health survey at the follow-up indicated health status in 40 patients as excellent in 11,very good in 20,good in 5,fair in 3,and poor in 1.The mean mental health score was 84.10±11.58.Pain relief was good in all 69 hips.Altogether,28/40 patients(70%)had no pain,9 patients(22%)had occasional pain,and 3 patients(8%)had mild to moderate pain with unusual activity.Heterotopic ossification was seen in 21 hips with Brooker class 1 in 14 hips.CONCLUSION Modified Hardinge approach THA in ankylosing spondylitis with stiff hips with flexion deformity significantly improved ROM,Harris hip score,and quality of life indicated by the 36-item and 12-item short form health surveys.

非编码RNAs在强直性脊柱炎异位骨化中的研究进展

强直性脊柱炎(ankylosing spondylitis,AS)是一种慢性的先天性免疫系统诱导的自身炎症性疾病。其中异位骨化为主要病理特点,可导致关节活动度丧失和强直,甚至严重残疾。非编码RNA(ncRNA)为重要调节性非蛋白质编码转录本,由长链RNA(lncRNA),微小RNA(miRNA)及环状RNA(circRNA)3种类型组成。近年来的研究逐渐关注到ncRNAs与AS异位骨化之间的密切关系。基于此,本文回顾了ncRNAs在强直性脊柱炎异位骨化的新发现,分析了它们在调控成骨分化、成骨细胞骨基质矿化、破骨细胞介导的骨吸收、相关细胞的活性和凋亡、血管生成及在信号通路中的作用,旨在确定它们作为AS新型生物标志物和治疗靶点所具有的潜力和面临的挑战。

High-dose thalidomide increases the risk of peripheral neuropathy in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

Thalidomide is an effective drug for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis but might induce peripheral neuropathy. This major adverse reaction has attracted much concern. The current study aimed to observe the incidence of thalidomide-induced peripheral neuropathy among an- kylosing spondylitis patients for 1 year after treatment. In this study, 207 ankylosing spondylitis cases received thalidomide treatment, while 116 ankylosing spondylitis cases received other treat- ments. Results showed that the incidence of thalidomide-induced peripheral neuropathy in the thalidomide group was higher than that in the non-thalidomide group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of neuropathy between the 〈 6 months medication and 〉 6 months medication groups. There were no differences in the mean age, gender, or daily dose between the two groups. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy among patients receiving 25, 50, 75, or 100 mg thalidomide per day was 4.6%, 8.5%, 17.1%, 21.7%, respectively. The incidence was significantly different between the groups receiving 25 mg and 100 mg thalidomide. In conclu- sion, thalidomide can induce peripheral neuropathy within 1 year after treatment of ankylosing spondylitis; however, age and gender have no obvious impact on the incidence of peripheral neuropathy. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy is associated with increasing daily doses of thalidomide.