Gonadal and adrenal sex steroids in ankylosing spondylitis

A role for sex steroids in the pathogenesis of AS is suggested by the male predominance, the peak age of onset in young adults, the increased number of first manifestations and flares after pregnancy, and the fact that sex steroids may modulate immune functions. There is a theoretic possibility that (normal levels of) androgens are indeed relevant in the male sex skew of AS. It has been reported that men with AS have higher than normal androgen levels; however, the evidence that serum testosterone levels are elevated in patients with AS is not robust. Elevated DHEAS and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels have been reported in male AS patients; these may be secondary to inflammation and stress but may theoretically also be causally related to AS. These elevations might result from a partial late onset 11 beta- or 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Current data on sex steroid hormones provide no straightforward explanation for the male predominance in AS. It is fair to say that present data in patients with long-standing AS are too limited to suggest a role for androgens in the perpetuation of the disease, but a role in the initiation and the early stages of AS cannot be excluded. Such information can only be obtained from prospective studies. Cross-sectional studies cannot clearly distinguish causal relation from secondary disease effects, because blood sampling to test these hypotheses only takes place many years after the onset of disease. The impact of sex steroids on these features of AS is still unresolved. There is as yet no rationale for the use of medication that modifies sex steroid hormones in the management of AS. Alternative explanations for the higher male prevalence of AS may be found in the different chromosomal configuration and body composition of men and women.

[Effect of anti-osteoporosis agents on the incidence of vertebral fractures]

In the early nineties of the last century, increase in bone mineral density (BMD) was usually the primary endpoint in studies observing the effect of anti-osteoporotic medication. Recently, several large studies have been published with the number of new vertebral deformities as the primary endpoint. This should be preferred, since fractures are generally associated with clinical signs and symptoms, while changes in BMD are not. In all these studies of the effects of alendronate, risedronate, raloxiphen and calcitonin in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis there was a striking discrepancy between a small increase in BMD of the lumbar spine, varying from +2 tot +8%, and a much larger reduction in the number of patients with new vertebral fractures: -36 to -49%. This difference could be related to an effect on bone quality, an independent effect on bone resorption, or to technical limitations of BMD measurements that underestimate true effects of antiresorptive therapy. The number of patients needing to be treated to prevent one fracture depended on background risk and on the effectiveness of the therapy.

Data driven attempt to create a clinical algorithm for identification of women with rheumatoid arthritis at high risk of osteoporosis

OBJECTIVES

To examine relations between osteoporosis and low bone mass and demographic and clinical variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in an attempt to develop a data driven clinical tool for identification of patients at high risk of osteoporosis.

METHODS

All patients were recruited from a county based register and were examined cross sectionally with a variety of clinical and health status measures as well as bone density measures (anteroposterior spine L2-4, total hip, and femoral neck). Associations between osteoporosis (T score < or = -2.5SD) and low bone mass (T score < or = -1SD), on the one hand, and demographic and clinical measures, on the other, were examined bivariately and by logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

394 patients with a mean age of 54.8 years were examined. The percentages having osteoporosis/low bone mass were 16.8/45.8, 14.7/54.5 and 14.7/55.5 in spine L2-4, total hip, and femoral neck, respectively. Osteoporosis and low bone mass were bivariately related to age, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, disease process measures, presence of deformed joints, physical disability, current use of corticosteroids, and history of non-vertebral fracture. In multivariate analyses, age >60 years, low BMI, and current use of corticosteroids were consistently related to osteoporosis and to low bone mass at all sites. The presence of deformed joints was associated with osteoporosis at the total hip, and a history of previous non-vertebral fracture with osteoporosis at the femoral neck. The Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ) > or = 1.5 and non-vertebral fracture were also independently associated with low bone mass at the hip. The logistic regression analyses models could, however, only predict osteoporosis with a sensitivity of about 50-60% and a specificity of 80-90% at the various measurement sites, and low bone mass with a sensitivity and specificity of about 70%.

CONCLUSION

Consideration of demographic and disease markers may be of some help in predicting presence of osteoporosis or low bone mass, but a combination of markers cannot be used as a clinical tool with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the identification of osteoporosis or low bone mass in patients with RA.

Systematic review of the cost effectiveness of prophylactic treatments in the prevention of gastropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

A systematic review on the cost effectiveness of prophylactic treatments of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced gastropathy in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis was conducted. Two reviewers conducted the literature search and the review. Both full and partial economic evaluations published in English, Dutch, or German were included. The criteria list published in the textbook of Drummond was used to determine the quality of the economic evaluations. The methodological quality of three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which the economic evaluations obtained probability estimates of NSAID induced gastropathy and adverse events was assessed by a list of internal validity criteria. The conclusions were based on a rating system consisting of four levels of evidence. Ten economic evaluations were included; three were based on RCTs. All evaluations studied misoprostol as prophylactic treatment: in one evaluation misoprostol was studied as a fixed component in a combination with diclofenac (Arthrotec). All economic evaluations comprised analytical studies containing a decision tree. The three trials were of high methodological quality. Nine economic evaluations were considered high quality and one economic evaluation was considered of low methodological quality. There is strong evidence (level "A") that the use of misoprostol for the prevention of NSAID induced gastropathy is cost effective, and limited evidence (level "C") that the use of Arthrotec is cost effective. Although the levels of evidence used in this review are arbitrary, it is believed that a qualitative analysis is useful: quantitative analyses in this field are hampered by the heterogeneity of economic evaluations. Existing criteria to evaluate the methodological quality of economic evaluations may need refinement for use in systematic reviews.

Effect of intensive exercise on patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of a dynamic, intensive exercise regimen on pain, disease activity, and physical functioning in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

64 patients with RA with a mean age of 60 (13) years and mean disease duration of 8 (8) years, admitted to hospital because of active disease, were randomly assigned to an intensive exercise programme or to a conservative exercise programme during their period in hospital with a mean length of 30 (14) days. The intensive exercise programme consisted of knee and shoulder dynamic and isometric muscle strengthening exercises against resistance five times a week and conditioning bicycle training three times a week and was supplemental to the conservative exercise programme of range of motion and isometric exercises. Indices of disease activity, pain, muscle strength, and functional ability were assessed at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks by a blinded observer.

RESULTS

The medical treatment during the study was the same in both groups. Both groups improved in measures of disease activity, differences between groups were not statistically significant. The mean improvement in disease activity score at 24 weeks in the intensive and conservative exercise group was -1.4 (1. 5) and -0.7 (1.4), respectively. Measures of physical functioning improved significantly for patients in the intensive exercise group, and differences between groups were statistically significant for measures of muscle strength.

CONCLUSION

A short term intensive exercise programme in active RA is more effective in improving muscle strength than a conservative exercise programme and does not have deleterious effects on disease activity.

Levels of markers of bone resorption are moderately increased in patients with inactive rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Clinical remission occurs in 10-20% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is questionable whether clinical remission corresponds to the complete absence of the inflammatory process. To answer this question we measured collagen degradation products (which are known to be increased in active disease) in patients with inactive RA and in healthy controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The urinary levels of bone resorption markers (pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, N-terminal telopeptide and C-terminal telopeptide) were measured in 184 patients with inactive RA, as defined by the preliminary criteria of clinical remission of the American College of Rheumatology, and in 118 healthy individuals.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, concentrations of all four bone resorption markers were found to be significantly higher in patients with inactive RA than in healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

The urinary excretion of bone resorption markers is increased in patients classified as having inactive RA. These results suggest that the inflammatory process is not completely absent.

Methotrexate effects in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with cardiovascular comorbidity

Methotrexate, an antirheumatic drug that may increase serum homocysteine, significantly increases mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular comorbidity.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in urine of male patients with ankylosing spondylitis is not increased

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with controls, using DNA amplification assays in urine specimens.

METHODS

The prevalence of C trachomatis infections was assessed in 32 male AS patients and 120 age and sex matched controls. Urine specimens were tested by ligase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction. In addition, blood samples of AS patients were tested on serum antibodies to C trachomatis (IgA and IgG) by a specific peptide based solid phase enzyme immunoassay. A questionnaire was used to assess the differences in sexual behaviour and ethnic origin between the two groups. AS patients were also asked about disease characteristics.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between cases and controls in the prevalence of C trachomatis infections. No associations were found between C trachomatis antibodies and disease characteristics, except for acute anterior uveitis (AAU). Four of eight (50%) AS men positive for IgG had a history of AAU in comparison with three of 24 (12.5%) IgG negative men (OR = 7.0; 95% confidence intervals: 1.1, 44.1).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections, as detected by commercially available DNA amplification assays in urine specimens, in AS patients is not higher compared with male controls of the same age. However, there seems to be an association between specific antibodies to C trachomatis and AAU.

Predictors of functional status in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To find disease parameters that can predict the functional capacity of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at the first visit to the rheumatologist and one year after entry.

METHODS

Patients referred to the outpatients clinic between 1995 and 1996, with a symptom duration of less than three years and fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for RA within one year after entry were included. Assessments of the duration of morning stiffness, the Disease Activity Score (DAS: a composite score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), number of painful and swollen joints and patient global assessment), pain (Visual Analogue Scale), the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were performed every three months. Possible predictors of the HAQ at entry and after one year were analysed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

133 patients were included in the study. The median duration of complaints was three months (range 0-35) and the median HAQ score at entry was 1.12 (range 0-3). There was no correlation between duration of complaints and the HAQ at entry (r = 0.01). An HAQ score under the 50th percentile at entry could be predicted correctly for 74% of the patients by entry DAS and C reactive protein concentration, and at one year could be predicted correctly for 73% of the patients by entry HAQ and pain score.

CONCLUSION

Disease activity is strongly correlated with a lower functional capacity at entry, whereas disease duration is not. The functional status at entry is a good predictor for functional status at one year. Severity rather than duration of arthritis prompts referral in this cohort.

Treatment of spondyloarthropathy with 5-aminosalicylic acid (mesalazine): an open trial

OBJECTIVE

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and spondyloarthropathy (SpA) are inflammatory diseases of unknown etiology. Various exogenous and endogenous (inherited) factors play a role in their development. Sulfasalazine (SSZ) is generally accepted as a disease modifying drug in the treatment of AS and SpA. Which part of SSZ, 5-acetylsalicylic acid (5-ASA, mesalazine) or sulfapyridine (SP), is the effective moiety is unknown. As the bowel, colon, and the ileum play an important role in the development of AS and SpA, it may be possible that 5-ASA is the effective moiety, with a similar mode of action as in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. To determine the efficacy of 5-ASA an open pilot study was done in 2 groups of patients with SpA.

METHODS

Twenty patients with SpA, who were taking SSZ, were switched to 5-ASA (Pentasa), and 19 patients with active SpA were treated with 5-ASA without previous administration of SSZ.

RESULTS

In the first group, 17 (85%) patients responded with respect to the physician global clinical assessment compared to the previous SSZ treatment period; whereas in the second patient group a statistically significant improvement was obtained in erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

CONCLUSION

The results support our hypothesis that 5-ASA might be the active moiety of SSZ in the treatment of SpA.

[Pharmacotherapy of patients with (early) rheumatoid arthritis]

As soon as the diagnosis 'early rheumatoid arthritis (RA)' is made, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) should be prescribed without delay. Methotrexate in dosages up to 30 mg once weekly is being used more frequently than in the past, also in early RA. Combination therapy with DMARDs is indicated in case of insufficient effect of a single DMARD. Combinations with methotrexate appear to be especially effective, like methotrexate and cyclosporin. A novel effective DMARD is leflunomide. In the near future promising biologicals will probably be applied in clinical daily practice, presumably in combination with conventional DMARDs. New non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been developed that are probably safer than conventional NSAIDs. If the recent finding that glucocorticoids are able to inhibit joint damage in (early) RA will be confirmed, prednisone might be used more often in (early) RA. Bone marrow transplantation in RA is still experimental.

Combination cyclosporine and (hydroxy)chloroquine in rheumatoid arthritis

Antimalarials are attractive candidates for combination therapy. In vitro experiments have revealed a synergistic mode of action of cyclosporine and chloroquine which could not, however, be confirmed in a clinical trial.

Chloroquine therapy in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis: the clinical response can be predicted by the low level of acute-phase reaction at baseline

If rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with a mild disease course could be identified early in the phase of the disease, therapy with less aggressive and probably less toxic antirheumatic drugs seems to be rational. The aim of this study was to investigate which factors at baseline could predict a clinical response (American College of Rheumatology preliminary response criteria) after treatment with chloroquine for 16 weeks. Two hundred and three early RA patients with active disease were treated with oral chloroquine sulphate (Nivaquine) at a daily dose of 300 mg during the first 4 weeks, 200 mg during the second 4 weeks and 100 mg thereafter. One hundred and eighty-three patients (90%) completed the study and 20 patients prematurely discontinued treatment. Of all the patients, 43 patients (21%) met the response criteria. A low level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was the only independent predictor for clinical response [relative risk: 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.95-0.98)]. It was concluded that a clinical response to chloroquine therapy in early RA patients can be predicted by a low CRP level at baseline.

Decreased serum biochemical markers of muscle origin in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVES

There is a lack of unanimity about (increased) serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), perhaps because of the inclusion of inappropriate controls. Therefore, serum levels of biochemical markers of muscle origin were assessed in AS patients compared with controls.

METHODS

In a comparative study serum levels of sarcoplasmic proteins indicating muscle cell leakage, creatinine, and C reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Fifty eight AS patients with a mean disease duration of 22 (SD 11) years and 58 age and sex matched controls (without back complaints) were included.

RESULTS

Lower serum levels in AS patients compared with controls were found for CK (mean (SD): 46 (21) v 76 (44) IU/l; p<0.001), aldolase (0.43 (0.36) v 0.58 (0. 32) IU/l; p=0.001), creatinine (91 (13) v 96 (11) micromol/l; p=0. 02), alanine aminotransferase (2.8 (1.5) v 4.1 (2.9) IU/l; p=0.001) and aspartate aminotransferase (7.0 (2.7) v 8.4 (3.5) IU/l; p=0.02). Also the lean body mass, as estimated by a formula using height, weight, age and sex, showed lower values in patients versus controls (56 (9) v 59 (9) kg; p=0.004), but creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft and Gault formula) was not different (p=0.48). Partial correlation coefficients adjusted for age and sex showed that CRP levels correlated negatively with CK and aldolase levels in AS patients (r= -0.48, p<0.001 and r= -0.37, p=0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Serum levels of biochemical markers of muscle origin were lower in AS patients compared with controls. Patients with active AS, as reflected by high CRP levels, may have an increased protein degradation, predominantly in skeletal muscle.

[Effectiveness, safety, and costs of measures for prevention of gastropathy due to the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs]

NSAID gastropathy, because of its severity and prevalence, is the most important side effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Protective strategies are advocated in patients with high risk for NSAID gastropathy (age over 60 years and/or previous ulcer). Different strategies for the prevention of NSAID gastropathy are: using a cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, adding a prostaglandin analogue, an H2-receptor antagonist or a proton pump inhibitor or eradicating Helicobacter pylori. On the basis of efficacy, safety and costs prescription of a proton pump inhibitor as a prophylactic agent appears to be the best option; prescription of a prostaglandin analogue is a good alternative. The preliminary data on the COX-2 inhibitors are promising. The role of H. pylori in NSAID gastropathy is not yet elucidated.

Androgens and ankylosing spondylitis: a role in the pathogenesis?

The frequency and severity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) show a male preponderance, and androgenic steroids have been implicated in its etiology. Some reports have indicated that serum androgen levels are slightly elevated relative to estrogen levels in patients with AS as compared to controls. In more recent studies, however, serum testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol, and androstenedione levels did not significantly differ between AS patients and controls. Moreover, testosterone levels measured directly in serum can be spuriously elevated, especially in patients using phenylbutazone. Elevated serum levels of the adrenal steroids 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate have been found in patients with AS. These elevations might be explained by partial 11 beta- or 21-hydroxylase deficiencies, but may also be secondary to an enhanced stress response. In vitro studies as well as studies in animals and humans indicate that DHEA enhanced, and 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone inhibit, the cell-mediated immune response, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of AS. Oral estrogen therapy in female patients and human chorionic gonadotrophin injections in male patients with AS, increased the 17 beta-estradiol/testosterone ratio and resulted in a moderate clinical improvement. In conclusion, serum testosterone levels are not elevated in patients with AS. Therefore testosterone probably has no role in the perpetuation of long-standing AS and provides no basis for antiandrogenic treatment. Cross-sectional case-control studies, however, cannot clearly distinguish etiological factors from secondary disease effects, especially when blood sampling occurs many years after the onset of AS. Consequently, the role of sex steroids in the pathogenesis is still insufficiently elucidated.

New therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis

New insights into the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and consequently new targets of therapy are covered in a broad overview fashion. Short-term significant beneficial effect on RA disease activity has been established in a small but rapidly growing number of double-blind placebo-controlled trials now including recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist, chimeric (mouse/human) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against TNF alpha (cA2), humanised (human/mouse) anti-TNF alpha mAb (CDP571) and recombinant human TNF-receptor-Fc fusion protein (TNFR:Fc). Placebo-controlled trials of anti-T cells agents such as chimeric anti-CD4 mAb (cM-T412) and anti-CD5 immunoconjugate, did not demonstrate clinical benefit. A placebo-controlled study of the anti-T cell derived cytokine IL-2 (DAB486IL-2) showed only modes clinical improvement. Other anti-T cell approaches such as autologous T cell vaccination and induction of tolerance by oral type II collagen have been unsuccessful. The one controlled trial with an anti-inflammatory cytokine, recombinant human IFN-gamma, showed modest clinical benefits. Controlled trials with IL-4 and IL-10 and with anti-adhesion molecules are awaited.

Cyclosporin A therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: only strict application of the guidelines for safe use can prevent irreversible renal function loss

OBJECTIVES

To investigate (1) whether the increase in serum creatinine observed during cyclosporin A (CsA) therapy was reversible in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated before the current guidelines for safe use in RA were developed and (2) whether the application of these guidelines prevents serum creatinine increases in the long term.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-three RA patients who had started low-dose CsA therapy between September 1990 and October 1992, and who were treated according to guidelines that allowed a 50% rise in serum creatinine, were tested for serum creatinine levels in December 1995 if they had discontinued CsA for at least 3 months. Predictors for irreversibility of renal function were determined by using multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The mean level of serum creatinine gradually increased from 69+/-14 (mean+/-S.D.) micromol/l when starting CsA therapy to 88+/-23 micromol/l (28% above baseline) at the moment of CsA discontinuation, and had decreased to 80+/-17 micromol/l (16% above baseline) at follow-up, 35+/-14 months after drug discontinuation. During CsA therapy, the mean level of serum creatinine had increased to 82+/-19 micromol/l (26% above baseline) at 6 months and to 87+/-22 micromol/1 (39% above baseline) at 42 months. The mean CsA dose had decreased from 3.1+/-0.9 mg/kg/day at 6 months to 1.9+/-0.8 mg/kg/day at 42 months. The absolute number of months that serum creatinine levels were > 30% above baseline was an independent predictor for a persistent increase of the serum creatinine after CsA discontinuation. More than 2 months with a serum creatinine increase of > or = 30% resulted in a higher percentage irreversible increase than for less than 2 months with a > or = 30% increase: 27 and 6%, respectively (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Long-term low-dose CsA administration in RA patients was associated with an increase in serum creatinine which was partially irreversible after drug discontinuation. The increase in serum creatinine was completely reversible in the patient group that was treated according to the current guidelines for safe use of CsA.

Quantitation of interferon gamma- and interleukin-4-producing T cells in synovial fluid and peripheral blood of arthritis patients

OBJECTIVE

The balance between T cells able to produce interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) (type 1) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) (type 2) is considered to be important in the development of autoimmunity. In this study, we quantitated the percentage of both cell types in synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood (PB) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, non-rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls.

METHODS

After short-term stimulation of synovial mononuclear cells with phorbol ester and ionomycin, cytokine-producing cells were quantitated using an intracellular staining technique and flow cytometric analysis.

RESULTS

Although no significant differences in CD8 + cells were found, significantly higher percentages of IFN-gamma-producing CD4 + (Th 1) and IL-4-producing CD4 + (Th2) cells were found in the peripheral blood of RA patients in comparison with healthy controls. However, the Th1/Th2 ratio was not different between the two groups. Comparative studies between PB and SF showed that in both RA and non-RA patients, percentages of Th1 cells were higher in SF than in PB, while Th2 cells were preferentially found in the PB, resulting in a higher Th1/Th2 ratio in the SF. The Th1/Th2 ratio in the SF correlated with disease activity as estimated by the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

CONCLUSION

These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that Th1 cells preferentially home to inflamed joints in both RA and non-RA patients, but show that this does not result in an altered Th1/Th2 ratio in the PB of RA patients.

Serum testosterone levels are not elevated in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVE

Studies in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) describe slightly elevated serum testosterone levels, but these studies were not properly controlled for possible confounders.

METHODS

In a case-control study serum levels of sex steroids, luteinizing hormone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHGB) were measured in patients with AS and in age and sex matched controls. The body mass index, smoking status, use of alcohol, and fat intake were recorded.

RESULTS

Testosterone levels measured in serum extracts did not differ in 50 male patients with AS compared to controls (mean +/- SD 16 +/- 4 vs 15 +/- 5 nmol/l, respectively; p = 0.54). In unextracted serum, however, male patients showed elevated testosterone (p < 0.001) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels (p = 0.003), even after controlling for confounders (p < 0.001). One of 10 female patients had an elevated testosterone level in unextracted serum. The 17 male users and one of the 2 female users of phenylbutazone had the highest testosterone levels in unextracted serum, and all showed a significant decline after extraction. Serum levels of other sex steroids, luteinizing hormone, and SHGB did not differ significantly between patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

Serum testosterone levels are not elevated in male patients with AS. Spuriously elevated testosterone levels in unextracted serum might be related to the use of phenylbutazone in our patient sample.