Use of static lung mechanics to identify early pulmonary involvement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

A. N. Aggarwal, D. Gupta, A. Wanchu, S. K. Jindal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: To assess if a detailed analysis of lung mechanics could help in early recognition of pulmonary abnormalities in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods: Static pulmonary mechanics were studied in 17 patients (16 men and one woman) of ankylosing spondylitis with no obvious clinical or radiological evidence of pulmonary involvement. Lung pressure-volume relationship was generated using a whole body plethysmograph, and a monoexponential equation fitted to this data. Results: Total lung capacity (TLC) was reduced in one (5.9%) and static lung compliance (Cst) in nine (52.9%) patients. Four (23.5%) patients had normal TLC, yet Cst and shape constant (K) were reduced. Five (29.4%) patients had reduced TLC and Cst; four of them had low K. One (5.9%) patient had normal TLC but elevated Cst and K. Conclusions: Pulmonary involvement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis is probably diffuse and begins much earlier than generally presumed. Evaluation of static lung mechanics can identify pulmonary involvement early in the course of disease in several of these patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)89-94
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Postgraduate Medicine
Volume47
Issue number2
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Exponential analysis
  • Lung volume
  • Static compliance
  • Transpulmonary pressure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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