Ann Rehabil Med.  2017 Dec;41(6):990-997. 10.5535/arm.2017.41.6.990.

Muscle Mass, Strength, Mobility, Quality of Life, and Disease Severity in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Preliminary Study

• Kim SC
• Lee YG
• Park SB
• Kim TH
• Lee KH

• KMID: 2400283
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.6.990

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is muscle mass reduction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to the general population and to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass, quality of life (QOL), strength, and mobility in patients with AS.
METHODS
A total of 30 AS patients were enrolled in this study. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and it was expressed as the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). QOL was assessed using the EuroQOL (EQ-5D). To measure mobility, the modified Schöber test and chest expansion test were used. To measure grip strength as a measure of muscle strength, we used the hydraulic hand dynamometer. Additionally, we divided the patients into two groups according to the degree of X-ray finding and compared the differences between the two groups.
RESULTS
There was no significant reduction in skeletal muscle mass in patients with AS compared to the general population. Also, there was no significant correlation between SMI and QOL. On the other hand, there was a significant positive correlation between SMI and mobility, and grip strength. A significant positive correlation was found between mobility and QOL. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in mobility between the two groups according to the degree of X-ray finding.
CONCLUSION
Maintaining muscle mass in AS patients may not be helpful for improving QOL, but it may contribute to achieving adequate mobility and strength.

Keyword

Ankylosing spondylitis; Quality of life; Skeletal muscle; Mobility; Strengthening exercise

MeSH Terms

Electric Impedance
Hand
Hand Strength
Humans
Muscle Strength
Muscle, Skeletal
Quality of Life*
Spondylitis, Ankylosing*
Thorax

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody S10; Biospace, Seoul, Korea). Surface electrodes were attached on both ankles and fingers (thumb and middle fingers).

• 

  Fig. 2 Modified Schöber test. With the patient standing upright, a mark was placed at the lumbosacral junction, and further marks were placed 5 cm below and 10 cm above (A). The patient was then asked to bend forward as far as possible, and the distance between the two marks was measured again (B).

• 

  Fig. 3 Chest expansion test. Chest expansion was measured as the difference between maximal inspiration and maximal forced expiration at the fourth intercostal space in males or just below the breasts in females.

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