Research Information System
5th ANNUAL MEDICAL STUDENTS’ RESEARCH DAY, İstanbul, Turkey, 04 June 2021, vol.9, pp.75
Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the
small bones in your spine (vertebrae) to fuse. Given the risk of chronic inflammation and reduced physical
activity, patients are also at risk of accelerated muscle wasting. We aim to compare the muscle strength of
muscle groups in AS patients with the muscle powers of healthy volunteers and to examine the relationship of
muscle strengths with disease activity and functionality.
Method: Forty males (20 AS, 20 healthy) were included in the study. Bath Disease Activity Index (BASDAI),
Functional Index (BASFI), and AS quality of life (ASQoL) scores were recorded. The maximum (max) and mean
elbow flexion, extension, (EF, EE), wrist flexion, extension (WF, WE), radial deviation, ulnar deviation muscle
strengths of the patients in both groups were measured by a handheld dynamometer.
Results: There was no significant difference between AS patients and healthy volunteers in terms of muscle
strength. The symptom duration was found to have a moderate negative correlation with all the muscle strengths
(EF, EE, WF, WE, radial deviation, ulnar deviation). In the patient group, a significant negative correlation was
found between the BASDAI and BASFI and all muscle groups.
Conclusion: There was no significant difference between AS patients and healthy volunteers in terms of muscle
strength but the higher the disease activity and functionality, the lower the muscle strength in the AS group.
Strengthening specific muscle groups for the desired goal can be a reasonable strategy.