Ankylosing spondylitis in Singaporean Chinese--a clinical profile.
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.
Koh
W H
WH
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Howe
H S
HS
Boey
M L
ML
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
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal