Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
04:47
Du-Moxibustion in a Mouse Model of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Published on: October 27, 2023
Challenges comparing functional limitations in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
G H Louie1, J D Reveille, M M Ward
1Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1468, USA.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|October 14, 2009
Summary
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) generally experience more severe physical functioning limitations than those with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, these findings require cautious interpretation due to potential confounding factors in existing studies.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Immunology
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are chronic inflammatory conditions affecting physical functioning.
- Uncertainty exists regarding the comparative severity of functional limitations between RA and AS patients.
- Direct comparison is challenging due to differing affected domains and measurement instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and contrast the severity of physical functioning limitations in patients with RA versus AS.
- To analyze published observational studies using similar self-report questionnaires for functional assessment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational studies.
- Inclusion of studies with unselected cohorts of RA and AS patients.
- Focus on studies utilizing comparable self-report questionnaires for functional limitations.
Main Results:
- Indirect and direct comparisons suggest RA patients experience more severe physical functioning limitations than AS patients.
- This trend appears consistent throughout the disease course for both conditions.
- Reported differences are based on available studies, with a few direct comparisons and mostly indirect evidence.
Conclusions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis patients generally exhibit greater physical functional impairment compared to ankylosing spondylitis patients.
- Findings should be interpreted with caution due to potential confounding variables not adequately addressed in most studies.
- Further research controlling for confounders like age, gender, comorbidity, and disease duration is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:09Functional Classification of Joints
Functional Classification of Joints
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility between the adjacent bones. Joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, a freely moveable joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints can be functionally classified as either synarthroses or amphiarthroses, whereas all synovial joints are classified as diarthroses.
Synarthrosis
An immobile...
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility between the adjacent bones. Joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, a freely moveable joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints can be functionally classified as either synarthroses or amphiarthroses, whereas all synovial joints are classified as diarthroses.
Synarthrosis
An immobile...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...