Assessment of early atherosclerosis and body composition in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

ASSESSMENT OF EARLY ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND BODY COMPOSITION INPATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITISOBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasonographic earlymarkers of atherosclerosis and body composition (BC) in patients with ankylosingspondylitis (AS) and healthy controlsMETHODS: Fifty four AS patients (37 ± 11 years, 29 males/25 females) and31 healthy controls (35 ± 9 years, 16 males/15 females) were included in this study.Serum glucose, acute phase proteins and lipids were studied. Body composition wasdetermined either by anthropometrically and foot-to-foot body fat analyzer (BIA).Brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and intima media thickness (IMT)assessment of the common carotid artery (CCA) were performedultrasonographically. Spinal mobility was assessed by the Bath AnkylosingSpondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI). Patients were also evaluated with the BathAnkylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Bath Ankylosing SpondylitisDisease Activity Index (BASDAI).RESULTS: Age, sex distribution, smoking status, serum lipids werecomparable in between both AS and control groups. However, acute phase proteinswere significantly higher in the patients group. The mean disease duration of patientswas 11.35 ±9.25 (Range 5-39) years. BASFI, BASDAI and BASMİ were 2.4 ± 2.4, 3.3± 2.0 and 2.3 ± 2.2 respectively. Fat percent, assessed by BIA and anthropometricalmethods, total body water and fat free mass were comparable in between groups.Left, right and averaged CCA IMT measurements did not show a statisticallysignificant difference between the AS and control groups. However, endotheliumdependent FMD was significantly lower in the AS patients (14.1 ± 6.7 vs. 17.6 ± 8;p=0.03). Likewise, endothelium independent nitroglycerine induced dilatation waslower in the patient group, but the difference was not significant (16.4 ± 6.8 vs. 19.8 ±10; p=0.07). No correlation was detected between endothelium dependent FMD andage, sex, serum lipids, acute phase proteins, fat percent, fat free mass, smokinghabits, BASFI, BASDAI and BASMI.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates impairment of endothelial function inAS. The body composition of the AS patients seems not to be different from healthycontrolsKEY WORDS: Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Composition, Body; Arteriosclerosis;Ultrasonography