Question

Which of the following statements are true for Ankylosing spondylitis?

• A. [(A)] \textbf{Presence of enthesitis in axial joints}
• B. [(B)] \textbf{Sacroiliitis is an early manifestation}
• C. [(C)] \textbf{Rheumatoid factor (RF), is found in majority of patients}
• D. [(D)] \textbf{X-ray of lumbar spine reveal squaring of vertebral bodies} \textbf{Choose the correct answer from the options given below :}

Hint:

\textbf{Rheumatology: Ankylosing Spondylitis.} Remember the key features of AS: it's a seronegative spondyloarthropathy (meaning RF is usually negative) characterized by axial skeleton involvement, sacroiliitis, enthesitis, and specific radiographic findings.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Let's evaluate each statement regarding Ankylosing spondylitis (AS): (A) Presence of enthesitis in axial joints: Enthesitis, inflammation at the sites where tendons and ligaments insert into bone, particularly in the axial skeleton (spine and sacroiliac joints), is a characteristic feature of AS. Thus, statement (A) is true. (B) Sacroiliitis is an early manifestation: Inflammation of the sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis) is a hallmark and often the earliest radiographic finding in Ankylosing spondylitis. Thus, statement (B) is true. (C) Rheumatoid factor (RF), is found in majority of patients: Rheumatoid factor is an antibody commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast, RF is typically negative or found in only a small minority of patients with Ankylosing spondylitis. Thus, statement (C) is false. (D) X-ray of lumbar spine reveal squaring of vertebral bodies: In chronic Ankylosing spondylitis, inflammation and subsequent fusion of the vertebrae can lead to characteristic radiographic changes, including squaring of the vertebral bodies (loss of the normal concave anterior border), syndesmophytes (bony bridges between vertebrae), and bamboo spine. Thus, statement (D) is true. Therefore, the true statements for Ankylosing spondylitis are (A), (B), and (D).