Relation between chest expansion, pulmonary function, and exercise tolerance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Article Abstract:

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis in which the ligaments around joints and spinal joints become inflamed. Ankylosis, permanent fixation, of the spinal joints may occur, which can result in poor movement of the rib cage. This in turn leads to restriction of lung capacity, although patients tend to be aware only of the pain, stiffness, and fatigue due to the joint disease. The effect of restricted chest expansion due to AS on respiratory function and exercise tolerance was evaluated in 33 patients (5 female). Chest expansion was severely limited in only 13 patients, and chest expansion correlated closely with spinal mobility and lung capacity. Twenty-four of 32 patients could tolerate sub-maximal exercise (75 percent of maximum predicted heart rate), but 20 had to stop due to breathlessness, while 12 stopped exercise due to pain in muscles or joints. Exercise tolerance was significantly associated with lung capacity, regardless of whether patients were smokers or sedentary. However, exercisers did tolerate exercise better and had better lung capacity, while there were no such differences between smokers and nonsmokers. Chest expansion was not related to exercise tolerance. The study suggests that although the extent of chest expansion affects lung capacity in patients with AS, it is not a major factor in exercise tolerance. Therapeutic efforts should be directed toward improving cardiorespiratory function as well as increasing spinal mobility, regardless of the extent of joint restriction. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physical fitness

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Serum osteocalcin and vitamin D metabolites in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Article Abstract:

Bone formation may be lower in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) despite normal levels of calcium regulating hormones. AS is a degenerative disease that affects the spine. A study compared blood levels of osteocalcin in 38 men and women patients with AS to those in 52 healthy men and women (control group). Osteocalcin is a protein found in bone that can be used to measure bone formation. The average blood level of osteocalcin was significantly lower in the male patients than in the healthy men. It was also lower in the female patients than in the healthy women. Blood levels of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were also measured in both groups. Both of these hormones stimulate osteocalcin synthesis. Blood levels of these hormones were similar for both groups.

Bones, Bone density, Calcium metabolism

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The oxidative metabolism of circulating phagocytes in ankylosing spondylitis: determination by whole blood chemiluminescence

Article Abstract:

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may be partly caused by increased blood levels of free radicals. This inflammatory disease affects the spine. A type of white blood cell called a phagocyte also appears to be partly activated even in the resting state, according to a study of 24 AS patients.

Health aspects, Free radicals (Chemistry), Phagocytes, Free radicals

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