Ankylosing spondylitis in Singapore: a study of 150 patients and a local update
Koh, W.H.; Boey, M.L.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 27(1): 3-6
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 9588266 Document Number: 488395
This paper presents the results of a clinical study of 150 patients in Singapore with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and reviews recent developments locally with regards to the disease. The patients were predominantly males (ratio 7:1) and Chinese (n = 147). The onset of disease is usually in the early twenties and there was a mean delay of 6.3 years before diagnosis was made. Peripheral joint involvement is common but apart from uveitis (17%), extra-articular manifestations are rare. AS patients have abnormal lipid profiles and lower bone mineral density compared to healthy controls. HLA *B2704 is the predominant subtype in our Chinese patients whilst HLA*B2706 was found only in healthy controls. Intensive group physiotherapy is beneficial for patients with spondyloarthropathy.