Fracture risk in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a population based study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk of fractures among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).


METHODS
A population based cohort study compared fracture incidence in an inception cohort of 158 Rochester, Minnesota residents newly diagnosed with AS between 1935 and 1989 with expected rates from the same community.


RESULTS
In 2,398 person-years of observation, there was no increase in the risk of limb fractures, but there was a pronounced increase in the risk of thoracolumbar compression fractures (standardized morbidity ratio = 7.6; 95% CI, 4.3-12.6) among those with AS.


CONCLUSIONS
These data point to the importance of measures aimed at maintaining axial skeletal status in patients with AS.
Cooper
C
C
Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Carbone
L
L
Michet
C J
CJ
Atkinson
E J
EJ
O'Fallon
W M
WM
Melton
L J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries