Ankylosing spondylitis in Singapore: a study of 150 patients and a local update

Ann Acad Med Singap. 1998 Jan;27(1):3-6.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a clinical study of 150 patients in Singapore with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and reviews recent developments locally with regards to the disease. The patients were predominantly males (ratio 7:1) and Chinese (n = 147). The onset of disease is usually in the early twenties and there was a mean delay of 6.3 years before diagnosis was made. Peripheral joint involvement is common but apart from uveitis (17%), extra-articular manifestations are rare. AS patients have abnormal lipid profiles and lower bone mineral density compared to healthy controls. HLA*B2704 is the predominant subtype in our Chinese patients whilst HLA*B2706 was found only in healthy controls. Intensive group physiotherapy is beneficial for patients with spondyloarthropathy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • China / ethnology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Malaysia / ethnology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Singapore / epidemiology
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / diagnosis
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / drug therapy
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal