Relationship Between Bone Mineral Density and Disease Activity in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective: This retrospective study was planned to determine the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and clinical, radiological and laboratory parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 28 patients with a mean disease duration of 11.9±6.1 years. In addition to clinical and demographic variables, lumbar and femoral BMD were evaluated with dual energy X-ray absorbtiometry. Lumbar spine score (LSS) and sacroiliac score (SIS) were calculated by grading of standard radiographs. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were determined as laboratory parameters. Results: The rate of osteoporosis and osteopenia were 7.1% and 25% at the lumbar spine, and 14.2% and 17.8% at the femoral neck, respectively. LSS was significantly correlated with lumbar BMD (r=0.70, p