title: Profile of ankylosing spondylitis in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: This study describes the profile of ankylosing spondylitis as seen at the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over a period of 4 years. Fifteen cases were accumulated, eleven males and four females (M:F ratio 2.75:1). Thirteen patients were of Arab origin. The mean age of onset was 23.4 years, and all patients but one had a subacute onset. A positive family history was elicited in two patients (13%) and HLA B27 was positive in eight out of twelve patients (67%). Symmetrical radiographic sacroiilitis was present in all fifteen patients, radiographic spondylitis in eleven (73%), enthesitis in nine (60%) while peripheral joints were affected in five (33%). Conjunctivitis and uveitis were seen in 2 (13%) and 1 (7%) respectively. Most patients were in ARA functional Class I and II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: al-Arfaj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D005260:Female; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen