title: The role of biomechanical factors in ankylosing spondylitis: the patient's perspective.
abstract: Biomechanical factors including occupational joint physical stressing and joint injury have been linked to spondyloarthritis. We explored such factors in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A retrospective, online survey was developed alongside the UK National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS). Questions on early entheseal symptoms, potential precipitating trauma, sporting activity, and physiotherapy were asked. A total of 1026 patients responded with 44% recalling an instance of injury or trauma as a potential trigger for their AS. After symptom onset, 55% modified sporting activities and 28% reported that the initial AS recommended exercises exacerbated symptoms. Patients report physical trauma, exercise and physiotherapy as potential triggers for AS symptoms. These findings further support the experimental evidence for the role of biomechanical factors in disease.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds; National Institute for Health Research, Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds. D.G.McGonagle@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ansell
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shuto
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Busquets-Perez
authors.forename: E M A
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hensor
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marzo-Ortega
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGonagle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*