Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), Visual analog scale (VAS), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and CRP (C-reactive protein) are the tools for assessing disease activity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the treatment outcome of AS patients in the Rheumatology clinic at Srinagarind Hospital.

Material and Methods: AS patients who were follow-up between 1/1/2015 – 31/12/2019. The primary outcome was the disease activities by BASDAI, and ASDAS at the initial treatment and the last visit. Moreover, the factors consisting of age, duration of disease, and duration of DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic drugs) used were evaluated for the correlation of persistent high disease activity (BASDAI ≥4 or ASDAS ≥2.1) in patients after treatment.­­

Results: A total of  42 AS patients consist of males 31(73.80%). The average age was 41 years old, and the average duration of disease and the duration of DMARDs used were 9.32 and 9.02 years, respectively. Biologic DMARDs used were 6(14.28%). At the first visit, there were high disease activities patients with BASDAI ≥4; 9(21.43%), ASDAS ≥2.1; 34(80.95%) and low disease activities patients with BASDAI < 4; 32(76.19%), ASDAS <2.1; 6(14.29%).  At the last visit, there were high disease activities patients with BASDAI ≥4; 4(9.52%), ASDAS ≥2.1; 21(50.00%) and low disease activities patients with BASDAI < 4; 37 (88.10%), ASDAS <2.1; 18 (42.86%). The high disease activities patients decreased by 55% after treatment by BASDAI score and decreased by 38% by ASDAS score. Low disease activities group of patients were associated with the use of biologic DMARDs. The correlation of high disease activity to age, duration of disease, and duration of DMARDs used were not significant P-values 0.79, 0.92, and 0.92, respectively.

Conclusion: Most of AS patient can achieved BASDAI goal after treatment.

Keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis, BASDAI, ASDAS, VAS, ESR, CRP, DMARDs