title: [The natural history of ankylosing spondylitis in the 21st century].
abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the axial skeleton and evolves in stiffness followed by ankylosis and disability. However, it may be difficult to exactly establish the natural history of the disease and the influence of risk factors of progression, since most patients are treated with various pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic agents, which may potentially influence the natural progression of the disease. In this context, we report here a very interesting case of a 40 year old man, presented to our outpatient clinic, 28 years after the onset of AS. Previously for personal reasons, did not choose not to undergo any treatment. This case allows us to evaluate the natural radiological progression of the disease and the influence of predictive risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra e U.O.C. di Reumatologia, Università di Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2 - 35128 Padova. paola.frallonardo@tin.it
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frallonardo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramonda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lo Nigro
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Modesti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campana
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Punzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014605:Uveitis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen