Description of ultrasonic imaging characteristics of enthesitis in ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Objective: To define the ultrasound imaging characteristics and risk factors of enthesitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on 87 AS patients at Cho Ray Hospital from 10/2022 to 08/2023.

Results: A total of 522 entheses were assessed in 87 AS patients with AS. Enthesitis was seen in 37.9% of all evaluated sites. Among entheses on involved ultrasound, 29.9% had no clinical manifestations. Hypoechoic and enlarged tendon were the most common manifestations on ultrasound, accounting for 19.9% and 18.3%, respectively. No differences were found regarding mean disease duration, presence of HLA-B27, elevated CRP, mean BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP score between two groups with and without enthesitis on ultrasound.

Conclusion: Ultrasound is a potential tool for the detection and monitoring of enthesitis in patients with AS, in particular those without clinical manifestation.