The prevalence of vertebral fractures in mild ankylosing spondylitis and their relationship to bone mineral density

Abstract

Spinal and hip osteopenia and vertebral fractures are a feature of mild AS. However, there was no correlation between BMD and vertebral fractures in these patients. AS patients with mild disease had a higher risk of fractures compared with the normal population and this increased with the duration of disease.

Osteoporosis, Inflammation and Ageing

“…Different epidemiologic studies report an increase in the risk of developing osteoporosis in various inflammatory conditions [5][6][7][8].…”

Polymorphisms in inflammation associated genes ALOX15 and IL-6 are associated with bone properties in young women and fracture in elderly

“…There is a close relationship between the immune and skeletal systems [2] and epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased risk of developing osteoporosis in inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis [3], rheumatoid arthritis [4] and inflammatory bowel disease [5]. In addition, pro--inflammatory cytokines have been associated with osteoblast and osteoclast regulation, and with bone resorption [6].…”

Pedicle subtraction osteotomy through pseudarthrosis to correct thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity in advanced ankylosing spondylitis

“…The chronic inflammation causes progressive ossification of the spinal ligaments and facet joints, which eventually results in a fixed and rigid spine [7,8,15]. In addition, AS is also associated with vertebral osteoporosis [18]. Therefore, AS patients in advanced stage are more susceptible to fracture due to the rigidity of the ossified spine and osteoporosis [18,19,22].…”

“…In addition, AS is also associated with vertebral osteoporosis [18]. Therefore, AS patients in advanced stage are more susceptible to fracture due to the rigidity of the ossified spine and osteoporosis [18,19,22]. A stress fracture is most likely to occur in thoracolumbar junction, a region with tremendous stress forces concentrated [4].…”