Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in the Pakistani cohort with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). METHOD: After IRB approval, a cross-sectional study was conducted among patients of AS, at the Department of Rheumatology Indus Medical College, Tando Mohammad Khan, from 15(th) March to 15(th) September, 2022. After obtaining demographic data, other parameters such as blood pressure (BP) and body mass index were recorded. In addition, a 5 ml blood sample was collected to assess their serum lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar levels. Using the laboratory data, the Framingham cardiovascular risk score was calculated for each patient and they were categorized into low, intermediate, or high-risk categories. RESULTS: Total 131 cases of ankylosing spondylitis: frequency of modifiable risk factors were: obesity (75.6%), high TG level (62.6%), high risk FRS score (40.5%), high LDL level (38.1%), low HDL (34.4%), hypertension (30.5%), diabetes mellitus (26.7%), high cholesterol level (17.6%), smoking (16%). In univariate analysis AS cases shows that increasing disease duration was associated with more risk of modifiable risk factors (p<0.05), on multivariate analysis, a positive association of age, diastolic blood pressure, smoking, diabetes mellitus, DMARDS, herbal medication-but not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In chronic AS there's higher prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, earlier recognition and effective management helps in prevention of future cardiovascular events.