Sixty-seven cases of the ankylosing spondylitis managed at the kyung Hee university hospital from February 1976 to May 1992 were analysed.
The average age at onset was 20.2 years old. The male was predominant (92%) and lumbar stiffness(48%). Limitation of chest expansion revealed in 8%. The most frequently involved joints were ascro-iliac joint(100%), articular facet joints of the
spine(89%), and hip joint (71%). The involved peripheral joint were hip (71%), shoulder913%), knee(17%) elbow(1%), ankle(4%), and temporomandibular joint(8%). The extraarticular manifestations were 19%.
The roentgenographic changes have shown 100% in the sacroiliac joint, 79% in the lumbo-dorsal facet joint, and 71% in the hip joint. In the sacroiliac joints, grade II and IV was frequent(32%, 31%). The higher the grade, the longer the duration
of
symptoms. Bone scan findings corresponded with the clinical and roentgenographic findings. HLA B27 was positive in 89% of cases. Laboratory findings such as leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation C-Reactive protein had no correlate with
clinical
symptoms. The Rheumatoid factor was positive only in 4% of cases.
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