Coxitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: clinicoradio logic comparisons

Abstract

Objective. To analyze and compare clinical, radiological and ultrasonic signs of coxitis in pts with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Material and methods. 35 pts with AS and clinical signs of coxitis were included. Median age was 26 years, AS duration 9 years, coxitis duration 5 years. 17 pts with AS without clinical signs of coxitis constituted control group. Pain on visual analog scale, hip joint mobility, radiological changes and ultrasonic signs of exudation were assessed. Results. Among the pts with AS prevailed those with the beginning of the disease before 20 years of age (77%). 71% of pts had bilateral coxitis. In 40% of pts coxitis signs during the first years were inconstant. Most frequent radiological signs of coxitis were narrowing of joint space (91,9%), femoral head or/and acetabulum cysts (77,4%), femoral head osteophytes (67,7%). Femoral head deformity (8,1%), partial bone anchylosis (6,5%), marginal bone erosions (3%) acetabulum protrusion (1,6%) were rare signs. Exudation was present in 84% of damaged hip joints. Bone destruction was significantly more frequent in pts with longer duration of AS and coxitis and was associated with more prominent functional disability and higher frequency of exudation. Hip joint exudation frequency and its volume did not influence pain intensity. Radiological changes were revealed in 12 hip joints of 7 pts of control group.