Radiological changes in men and women with ankylosing spondylitis

The radiographic changes of ankylosing spondylitis were studied in 50 females and 82 males. There was a tendency for the males to have more severe arthritic changes in the sacroiliac joints than the females, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Males significantly more often had radiological involvement of the lumbar spine. More restricted lumbar mobility, total spinal flexion, and chest expansion were found in males with x-ray changes in the lumbar spine than in males without such features. No such significant difference could be found in females. These findings may indicate a less severe disease as judged roentgenologically in females than in males. The correlations between restriction of chest and spinal mobility and x-ray changes were stronger in males.