Characteristics of the AS study population (n = 151).

Values are mean ± SD or median (range) unless otherwise indicated.
†Data were available in 72% of the patients.
‡Of these patients, 3 used systemic corticosteroids (prednison 5 mg/d n = 2, budenofalk 6 mg/d n = 1) and 8 used local corticosteroids (nose drops n = 3, eye drops n = 2, inhaled n = 2, skin cream n = 1, injection knee n = 1).
*Active disease based on BASDAI (21) or ASDAS [37].
AS, ankylosing spondylitis; HLA-B27+, human leukocyte antigen B27 positive; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; BASDAI, Bath AS disease activity index; ASDAS, AS disease activity score; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C-reactive protein; BASFI, Bath AS functional index; PINP, procollagen type I N-terminal peptide; BALP, bone-specific-alkaline phosphatase; sCTX, serum C-telopeptide of type I collagen; mSASSS, modified stoke AS spinal score; LS, lumbar spine; BMD, bone mineral density.