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The relationship between disease-related characteristics and conduction disturbances in ankylosing spondylitis

V K Dik1, M J L Peters, P A Dijkmans

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology
|February 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Conduction disturbances are common in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), especially with longer disease duration. This highlights a potential link between AS, cardiac issues, and cardiovascular risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Clinical Electrocardiography

Background:

  • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is linked to increased cardiovascular (CV) risk.
  • Conduction disturbances (CD) are associated with cardiac disease and may contribute to the CV burden in AS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of conduction disturbances (CD) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
  • To evaluate the relationship between CD and patient characteristics in AS.

Main Methods:

  • 131 consecutive AS patients underwent rheumatological evaluation and resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
  • Demographic and AS-related characteristics were assessed.

Main Results:

  • First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block in 4.6%, complete right bundle branch block (RBBB) in 0.8%, and left anterior hemiblock in 0.8%.
  • Prolonged QRS (pQRS) interval observed in 29.2% of patients.
  • Disease duration, age, and BMI associated with PR interval; male gender, disease duration, and BASMI with QRS interval. Disease duration independently associated with PR and QRS intervals.

Conclusions:

  • Intraventricular conduction disturbances are highly prevalent in AS patients, particularly those with long-standing disease.
  • Further research is required to establish the contribution of intraventricular CD to the elevated CV risk and mortality in AS.
Abstract

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