title: Ankylosing spondylitis in Singaporean Chinese--a clinical profile.
abstract: The clinical characteristics of 38 local Chinese ankylosing spondylitis patients were studied by interview, clinical examination and review of casenotes. The sex ratio was 3.2:1 in favour of males. The average duration from onset of symptoms till diagnosis of disease was 7.25 years. Peripheral joint involvement occurred in 71% of the patients. Extra-articular complications were uncommon; only three patients had a history of uveitis and one patient had biopsy proven IgA nephropathy. 26.3% of patients had significant disability due to the disease. Early diagnosis of the disease should be made as it may improve the prognosis of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Boey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000473:pathology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012846:Singapore; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal