Ankylosing spondylitis in Northern Jordan

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the profile of ankylosing spondylitis as seen in the Rheumatology Practice at Prince Rashid Ben Al-Hassan Hospital, lrbid, Jordan over a period of 14 months.

METHODS: Fifty-two cases that met the modified New York clinical criteria for ankylosing spondylitis were accumulated. A standardized method that included patients' interview, physical examination including measurements of spinal mobility, medical record review, radiographic and laboratory examination was applied.

RESULTS: Forty-two cases (85%) of the 52 accumulated cases were males and 10 cases (15%) were females (male:female ratio of 4.2:1). Their mean age of onset was 26 years (range 16-40 years) and the mean duration of the disease was 8.7 years (range 2-25 years). Symmetrical radiographic sacroiliitis was present in all cases, while radiographic spondylitis was present in 32 cases (62%) and radiographic cervical spine involvement was present in 16 cases (31%). Peripheral arthritis was present in 10 cases (19%), while enthesitis was present in 34 cases (65%). Conjunctivitis was seen in 28 cases (54%) and uveitis was seen in 2 cases (4%). A positive family history was elicited in 8 cases (15%), and Human Leukocyte Antigen type B27 was positive in 42 cases (81%). All patients were rheumatoid factor negative.

CONCLUSION: Although several limitations to this study were recognized, these were a restraint to an accurate estimate of the incidence of ankylosing spondylitis in northern Jordan. However, the study has provided epidemiological data on ankylosing spondylitis and could be of help for further studies. Further comprehensive-cooperative research including the 3 health sectors (Private, Ministry of Health and Military Hospitals) would be very helpful in establishing a more accurate estimate of the size of the problem in Jordan and providing an accurate profile of ankylosing spondylitis in Jordan.