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Cardiac conduction system abnormalities in ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|August 14, 2013
Summary
Cardiac conduction abnormalities are frequent in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) but not linked to disease activity. These common findings, primarily heart blocks, may still impact patient health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cardiac conduction disturbances are frequently observed in patients with spondyloarthropathies, particularly ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
- The relationship between these cardiac issues and indicators of rheumatic disease activity remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of cardiac conduction disturbances in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
- To determine if these disturbances correlate with disease activity markers or HLA B27 subtypes.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 210 patients with AS.
- Data collection included questionnaires, physical examinations, ECGs, and laboratory tests.
Main Results:
- Cardiac conduction disturbances were prevalent, affecting 10-33% of patients.
- Abnormalities included atrio-ventricular block and prolonged QRS duration.
- Conduction issues were associated with age, male gender, and body weight, but not with inflammation markers or HLA B27 subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac conduction abnormalities are common in AS patients.
- These abnormalities are not associated with disease activity markers or specific HLA B27 subtypes.
- Despite being common, these conduction system issues may indirectly influence patient morbidity and mortality.
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