title: Population-based estimates of common comorbidities and cardiovascular disease in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the rate of common comorbidities and cardiovascular disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared with the general population seeking health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cohort study included 935 subjects (67% men) ages ≥20 years diagnosed with AS and the adult background population in Southern Sweden. During 2004 to 2007 we recorded the occurrence of physicians' diagnostic codes for a select number of comorbidities commonly associated with AS and cardiovascular disease and risk factors. We obtained standardized morbidity-rate ratios (SMRs) by dividing the observed morbidity rate in AS patients by the expected rate based on the corresponding rate of the disease in the general population of the county seeking health care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest SMRs were found for uveitis (34.35, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 28.55-40.98) and inflammatory bowel disease (9.28, 95% CI 7.07-11.97). Also, we found increased SMRs for ischemic heart diseases (2.20, 95% CI 1.77-2.70), hypertension (1.98, 95% CI 1.72-2.28), and diabetes mellitus (1.41, 95% CI 1.10-1.78). Furthermore, the SMRs for psoriasis, osteoporosis, and atrioventricular blocks were also statistically significantly elevated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inflammatory diseases affecting the eye and the digestive system were the most notable comorbidities in AS patients, but the rate for cardiovascular disease was also high. Using comprehensive longitudinal population-based register data is a promising tool to evaluate the excess consultation rate and total burden of rheumatic disease on patients and society.
authors: Lund University, Lund, Sweden. ann.bremander@morse.nu
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Bremander
authors: Ingemar F
authors: IF
authors: Petersson
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Bergman
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Englund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult