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Respiratory muscle strength but not BASFI score relates to diminished chest expansion in ankylosing spondylitis

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Abstract

Pulmonary function is altered in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) owing mainly to the restriction of chest wall involvement (limited chest expansion). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between chest expansion, respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and BASFI score in patients with AS. Twenty-three male patients with definite AS and 21 age-matched healthy male controls were recruited for the study. Patients with AS were assessed for functional status by BASFI. Measurement of chest expansion and lumbar spinal flexion (modified Schober) method was performed in all subjects. Pulmonary function tests were performed by spirometry. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by a mouth-pressure meter (MPM). Body mass index (kg/m2) was recorded in all individuals. Chest expansion and modified Schober measurement were significantly lower in AS patients (p<0.05). Pulmonary function tests revealed restrictive lung disease. The mean BASFI score suggested good functional capacity in the AS group. The respiratory muscle strength and MVV were also lower in AS (p<0.05). The chest expansion was correlated with MIP and MEP values (r=0.491; p=0.02, r=0.436; p=0.05). Chest expansion was also correlated negatively with disease duration (r=−0.502; p=0.03). In addition, there was no correlation between chest expansion and BASFI score (r=−0.076; p=0.773). This study demonstrates that functional status (BASFI) is not influenced by the limitation of chest wall movement. It may be as a result of the maintenance of moderate physical activity during active life in patients with AS.

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Abbreviations

AS:

Ankylosing spondylitis

FEF:

Forced expiratory flow rate

FEV1 :

Forced expiratory volume during the first second

FVC:

Forced vital capacity

MPM:

Mouth-pressure meter

MVV:

Maximum voluntary ventilation

VC:

Vital capacity

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mersin University, Fatih Mah.13 Sokak, İstanbul Evleri, C blok kat1/1, Mezitli, Mersin, Turkey

    Günşah Şahin, Nurgul İncel, Ali Biçer & Hayal Güler

  2. Department of Chest Diseases, Mersin University, Fatih Mah.13 Sokak, İstanbul Evleri, C blok kat1/1, Mezitli, Mersin, Turkey

    Mukadder Çalikoğlu, Cengiz Özge & Bahar Ulşubaş

Authors
  1. Günşah Şahin
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  2. Mukadder Çalikoğlu
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  3. Cengiz Özge
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  4. Nurgul İncel
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  5. Ali Biçer
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  6. Bahar Ulşubaş
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  7. Hayal Güler
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Correspondence to Günşah Şahin.

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Şahin, G., Çalikoğlu, M., Özge, C. et al. Respiratory muscle strength but not BASFI score relates to diminished chest expansion in ankylosing spondylitis. Clin Rheumatol 23, 199–202 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-003-0850-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-003-0850-y

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