Henry Ford Hosp Med Journal Vol 27, No 1, 1979 Ankylosing Spondylitis Carlina V. jimenea, MD* Spondyllitisi , in the broad sense, means arthritis or inflam­ continuous bone." From these observations, Connor de­ mation of the spine. The term is derived from the Greek duced that the person "must have been immovable, that he words "spondylos," meaning vertebra, "-itis" for inflamma­ could neither bend nor stretch himself out, rise up, nor lie tion, and "ankylos," meaning bent or crooked. Ankylosing down norturn upon his side." Such a skeleton might appear spondylitis, therefore, is a chronic inflammatory disease of as illustrated (Figures 1 and 2).* the spine resulting in progressive stiffening with fusion ofthe various anatomical elements. Other early descriptions were reported by Wilks (1858), von Thaden (1863), Blezinger (1864), Bradhurst (1866), Virchow (1869), Harrison (1870), Flagg (1876) and Strum- History pell (1884).^ The most complete clinical description ofthe Ankylosing spondylitis has plagued man since antiquity. disease, however, is credited to von Bechterew, who in Ruffer and Reitti described the skeleton of a man living 1893 described what he thought was a new neurological during the third dynasty (2980 to 2900 B.C.) whose spinal disease characterized by stiffness ofall orpart of the spine, column, presumably in its entire length, was diseased and paresis of the muscles of the back, neck and extremities. transformed into a solid block because of new bone forma­ Later in 1897, Strumpell reported a group of cases with tion in the longitudinal ligaments. A skeleton found in progressive ankylosis ofthe spine and hip joints. In 1898, Nordpfalzdated (bytomb gifts enclosed)about400 B.C., was Marie described six cases characterized by an ascending reported by Arnold^ as showing similar changes. Several type of ankylosis in which the sacroiliac joints became skeletons of ancient Nubian bones from a Negroid tribe in fused and the cervical spine was least and last involved. Eastern Africa between Egypt and Abyssinia (6th-4th century Marie was probably the first to correlate the clinical and B.C.) also illustrated similar changes. Skeletal remains in anatomical features of what is now known as ankylosing Guatemala around 500 A.D.^ have also shown features of spondylitis. In 1904, Frankel presented a full account ofthe ankylosing spondylitis. However, many skeletons among disease and called it "spondylitis ankylopoietica." Valen­ Egyptian mummies described as having ankylosing spon­ tin! in 1899 described roentgenograms demonstrating the dylitis may have been mislabeled, as they were later shown typical bamboo spine. by x-ray to have osteophytosis. In1691, Bernard Connor^ first described thedisease: "Ihave Synonyms and Eponyms lately seen in France, partof a human skeleton consisting of In the early years this disease was variously called spon­ the os il ium, the os sacrum, the five vertebrae ofthe loins, ten dylitis rhizomelique, Marie-Strumpell's disease, spon­ ofthe back, five entire ribs on the right side and three on the dylitis ossificans ligamentosa, von Bechterew's syndrome, left... all of these bones which naturally are separate and adolescent or juvenile spondylitis, spodylarthrititis an­ distinct from one another were here so straightly and kylopoietica and spondylitis deformans.^ This was so intimately joined, their ligaments perfectly bony and their confusing that in 1941 the American Rheumatism Associa­ articulations so effaced that they really made 1 uniform tion (ARA) adopted the term rheumatoid spondylitis in an effort to unify the terminology in the American literature. As it turned out, that was also a poor choice because it led * Departmentof Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Henry Ford Hospital Address reprint requests to Dr Jimenea, Department of Internal Medicine, * Figures 1 and 2 are reproduced with permission fromyAMA (191:910-912, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, Ml 48202 1965), copyright 1965, American Medical Association, 10 Jimenea Fig.1 Fig. 2 Skeleton fused due to ankylosing spondylitis Enlargement of Fig. 1 showing thoracic vertebrae. to the idea that the disease is a variant of rheumatoid penetrance in men and 10% in women, and prevalence is arthritis. With better understanding and the recognition said to be 30 times higher among relatives of patients with that it isa specific entity apart from rheumatoid arthritis, the spondylitis. In recent years a positive correlation has been word rheumatoid was dropped and the current name of found between ankylosing spondylitis and the presence of ankylosing spondylitis was adopted. the HLA B27 antigen in the blood; 52% of relatives of spondylitic patients also have HLA B27 antigen.'* Theonsetof ankylosingspondylitis is insidious in 82% ofthe Clinical Presentation patients. Recurrent low back pain and stiffness are universal complaints, usually more severe on waking in the morning Ankylosing spondylitis shows a striking predilection for or after prolonged inactivity. In about 10% of the patients men. It has a relative incidence of 7:1, and its prevalence is sciatic pain may be the initial symptom but usually not estimated to be approximately four in 1000 Caucasian accompanied by neurologic abnormalities. In roughly 20% males, the onset occurs most frequently during late adoles­ of patients the initial manifestation may be painful swelling cence and early adulthood, generally before age 40. It very in one or more peripheral joints or inflammation in the eyes. rarely begins after 50. Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss may accom­ A hereditary predisposition for the disease also exists. It is pany an occasional severe case. Usuallythe sacroiliac joints inherited as a single dominant autosomal factor with 70% are involved first, and the symptoms may be confined to this 11 Ankylosing Spondylitis area for months or even years before other spinal segments findingof sacroil itis more than with the other manifestations are involved. Ankylosing spondylitis may vary in severity of the disease. The current feeling is that it is a specific and progression. Although the inflammatory process may be genetic marker for ankylosing spondylitis (sacroilitis) and acute, subacute or chronic in any or all vertebral regions, the may help identify those individuals who are likely to have tendency is toward a gradual spread cephalad. Thus, in thedisease, even though they may notyet have radiographic patients in whom the presenting symptoms are localized to changes of ankylosing spondylitis. Of those with positive higher segments, the SI joints are usually involved at the time HLA B27, the frequency of the disease has been calculated of examination despite absence of clinical findings there. at 20-25%. The physical signs of ankylosing spondylitis vary with the Radiologic changes are diagnostic of ankylosing spon­ severity and duration of the disease and the level of spine dylitis. The earliest findings are generally seen in the sacro­ involvement. In mild or early stages, the physical findings iliac joints with blurring and irregularities of the articular may be normal. More severe illness may manifest systemic margins and subchondral sclerosis adjacent to the sacroiliac changes such as muscle wasting, anemia, weight loss, and joints. As the disease progresses, the joint spaces become general debility. In an established case of ankylosing spon­ narrowed, and bony ankylosis eventually occurs. In the dylitis the patient assumes a characteristic posture; the head spinal column the first changes are generally believed to is thrown forward on the shoulders, the neck carried in a occur in the apophyseal joints with blurring, sclerosis and rigid attitude; there is flattening of the anterior chest, narrowing of the articular margins. Anterior spondylitis or kyphosis of the thoracic spines and flattening or disap­ inflammation of the soft tissues anterior to the nucleus pearance of the normal lumbar lordosis. The pelvis is tilted pulposus results in sclerosis and rounding of the anterior forward, and there might be flexion contractures ofthe hips. vertebral corners. There is also loss of the normal concavity Tenderness to palpation alongthe rib articulation is evident, ofthe vertebral bodies, which results in "squaring" ofthe along with decreased chest expansion. Hips and shoulders vertebrae. Ossification of the paravertebral tissues follows are involved in approximately 20% of cases, but involve­ the anterior spondylitis and syndesmophytes form between ment of the smaller joints such as elbows, wrists, hands and adjacent vertebral bodies. These eventually bridge overthe ankles is much less common. Inflammatory disease of the intervetebral spaces, leading to the typical "bamboo spine eyes (iritis or uveitis) occurs in 15% of patients at some time appearance." Complete fusion ofthe posterolateral masses during the course of their disease. It may even precede the may occur at the cervical levels. Erosions at the margins of onset of sacroiliac or spinal involvement. Aortic insuffi­ the symphysis pubis may occur and periosteal new bone ciency secondary to aortitis with widening of the aorta may formation may be seen along the borders of the pelvic be associated with abnormal heart rhythms, angina pectoris bones, particularly atthe tendinous insertions. Osteoporosis or even congestive heart failure. Pericarditis has been is a regular finding in established ankylosing spondylitis. reported.^ Destructive granulomatous lesions between ver­ Destructive