Radiculomyelopathy Involvement in• Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) IS a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by involvement of the sacroiliac and spinal joint, peripheral arthritis and enthesopathy. Extra-articular manifestation may be seen (Batlle-Gualda & Pascual, 1997). The prevalence of neurological complications of classical AS has not been thoroughly examined. So, the aim of this study was to assess the frequency of myelopathy and/or radiculopathy in AS even in the absence of symptoms. Twenty-four patients with AS according to modified New York criteria were recorded in this studv. T'.'.enty healthy volunteers, age, and sex matched were used as a control group in

assessmg evaluated stiffness

the neurophysiological studies. The patients were including; Disease duration, duration of• morning m minutes, back pain, cervical pain, peripheral joint

involvement and peripheral enthesitis. The axial status was assessed usmg Bath Ankylosing spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) and also complete neurological examination were performed. Scoring the severity of radiological changes in patients usmg plain X-ray of sacroiliac joint, hip, cervical, dorsal and lumber spines were done. Measurement of ESR, C-reactive protein and serum calcium was done. Electromyography (EMG study) of the trapezius and

supraspinatus muscle were recorded in all patients.