Status:

COMPLETED

Progression of Spinal Fusion in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Lead Sponsor:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Conditions:

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Eligibility:

All Genders

18+ years

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate: 1) whether computed tomography (CT) scanning is better than regular x-rays for measuring changes in the stiffness, or fusion, of the spine in patients with ankylosing spondyl...

Detailed Description

Spinal fusion is the clinical, radiological, and pathological hallmark of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, spinal fusion occurs slowly in AS. Serial radiographs rarely show changes over 2 years, ...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • A. LONGITUDINAL STUDY PROTOCOL:
  • Fifty-five patients will be studied.
  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Diagnosis of AS by the modified New York criteria
  • Lumbar spine BASRI score of 0, 1, 2, or 3
  • We will aim to recruit at least 6 patients in each of the following BASRI lumbar spine categories:
  • 0 or 1 (normal or suspicious changes)
  • 2 (erosions, sclerosis or squaring with or without syndesmophytes or 2 or fewer vertebrae)
  • 3 (syndesmophytes on 3 or more vertebrae with fusion of at most 2 vertebrae)
  • EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Inability to provide informed consent.
  • BASRI lumbar spine score of 4 (complete fusion; 12)
  • Contraindication to MRI scanning based on the NMR Center MRI Safety Screening Questionnaire or size or weight limitations of the scanner.
  • History of allergic reactions to gadolinium-DPTA contrast used for MRI
  • Anticipated unavailability for follow-up over 2 years
  • Pregnancy
  • Onset of AS at age 16 or younger
  • Spondyloarthropathy other than AS
  • Severe scoliosis or other spinal malalignment that would complicate scan interpretation
  • B. CROSS-SECTIONAL (RELIABILITY) STUDY PROTOCOL
  • Up to 35 patients will be studied.
  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Diagnosis of AS by the modified New York criteria (5)
  • EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • BASRI lumbar spine score of 4 (complete fusion)\<TAB\>
  • Pregnancy
  • Onset of AS at age 16 or younger
  • Spondyloarthropathy other than AS
  • Severe scoliosis or other spinal malalignment that would complicate scan interpretation

Exclusion

    Key Trial Info

    Start Date :

    December 3 2004

    Trial Type :

    OBSERVATIONAL

    Allocation :

    ACTUAL

    End Date :

    Estimated Enrollment :

    63 Patients enrolled

    Trial Details

    Trial ID

    NCT00085995

    Start Date

    December 3 2004

    Last Update

    January 5 2026

    Active Locations (1)

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    Page 1 of 1 (1 locations)

    1

    National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892