Aerobic capacity and its correlates in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

作者：Hsieh Lin Fen; Wei James Cheng Chung; Lee Hsin Yi; Chuang Chih Cheng^*; Jiang Jiunn Song; Chang Kae Chwen

来源：International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 2016, 19(5): 490-499.

DOI：10.1111/1756-185X.12347

• aerobic capacity
• ankylosing spondylitis
• chest expansion
• exercise tolerance test
• functional ability
• pulmonary function

Aim: To evaluate aerobic capacity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and determine possible relationships between aerobic capacity, pulmonary function, and disease-related variables.
Method: Forty-two patients with AS and 42 healthy controls were recruited in the study. Descriptive data, disease-related variables (grip strength, lumbosacral mobility, occiput-to-wall distance, chest expansion, finger-to-floor distance, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin), and chest and thoracic spine x-rays were collected in each patient with AS. All subjects took standard pulmonary function and exercise tolerance tests, and forced vital capacity (FVC) and aerobic capacity were recorded.
Results: Both aerobic capacity and FVC in patients with AS were significantly lower than those in normal subjects (P < 0.05). AS patients with BASFI scores of < 3 or BASDI scores of < 4 had a higher aerobic capacity. There was significant correlation between aerobic capacity, vital capacity, chest expansion, Schober's test, cervical range of motion, and BASFI in patients with AS. Neither aerobic capacity nor vital capacity correlated with disease duration, ESR, CRP, and hemoglobin.
Conclusions: Significantly reduced aerobic capacity and FVC were observed in patients with AS, and there was significant correlation between aerobic capacity, vital capacity, chest expansion, and BASFI.

• 出版日期2016-5
• 单位河北医科大学; 中国医科大学