The Relation Between Functional Parameters, C-Reactive
Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Ankylosing
Spondylitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sofia Manuela da Rocha Lopes; José Alberto Ramos Duarte; Paula Clara Santos; Cristina Teresa
Torrão Carvalho Mesquita

Research Article

The Relation Between Functional Parameters, C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sofia Manuela da Rocha Lopes¹*, José Alberto Ramos Duarte², Paula Clara Santos³ and Cristina Teresa Torrão Carvalho Mesquita⁴

¹School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Superior School of Health of Vale do Sousa, Polytechnic Institute of Health of the North, Portugal, CIR - Center for Rehabilitation Research, ESS|PPorto, Portugal

²University Institute of Health Sciences, Portugal

³School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal; CIR - Center for Rehabilitation Research, ESS|PPorto, Portugal; CIAFEL - Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of sports, University of Porto, Portugal

⁴School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal; CIR - Center for Rehabilitation Research, ESS|PPorto, Portugal

Corresponding Author

Received Date: December 20, 2021; Published Date: January 12, 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease characterised by inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints and stiffness, which leads to a progressive decline in the quality of life of individuals. Bath indices are considered the principal functional outcome measure and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are the most widely used biomarkers in AS to assess disease activity.

Objective: To characterise individuals with AS and to examine the association between functional parameters and biomarkers.

Methods: Thirty-one patients were recruited from the National Association of Ankylosing Spondylitis (ANEA) – Centre of northern region of Portugal, between February 2014 and June 2015, to be included in the present study. The Bath indices [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI)], the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and laboratory parameters such as ESR and CRP were analysed.

Results: The participants’ mean age was 42.77 (±14.37) years, with 18 (58.1%) women and 13 (41.9%) men. The mean scores were 3.55 (BASDAI), 2.78 (BASFI) and 2.58 (BASMI). The final mean scores were 25.81± 18.36 (NDI) and 23.29±15.32 (ODI). We found a negative association between ESR and BASDAI (β=-0.038, p=0.025), and between ESR and BASFI (β=-0.044, p=0.013). As to CRP, there was no statistically significant association between Bath indices.

Conclusion: This cross-sectional study in AS patients demonstrated that, on the one hand, this sample had a high education level, having been diagnosed with AS for more than 15 years, with a moderate disability and, on the other hand, with the adjustment of education level and years since diagnosis, there was an association between ESR and BASDAI and BASFI scores.

Keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Functionality; Biomarkers; Inflammation; pain

Article Details

Citation

Sofia Manuela da Rocha Lopes, José Alberto Ramos Duarte, Paula Clara Santos. The Relation Between Functional Parameters, C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cross-Sectional Study. Arch Rheum & Arthritis Res. 2(1): 2022. ARAR.MS.ID.000527.