A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Studies on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio

Background: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker for many inflammatory diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is among these inflammatory diseases, and many studies have compared the NLR ratio between patients with AS and healthy controls. Aim: To systematically review and analyze the available evidence about the significance of NLR values in AS. Method: Based on Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines, we searched Embase, Pubmed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to August 2020 using ("Ankylosing spondyl* " OR "Bechterew Disease" OR "Rheumatoid Spondylitis") AND ((neutrophil* AND lymphocyte*) OR NLR) as key terms of the search strategy. Data selection and extraction were conducted separately by two authors. We appraised the included articles according to the Joanna Briggs checklist. Comprehensive Meta-analysis Version 2 was used for analysis and assessment of publication bias. I2 > 75% and p-value < 0.05 were considered significant. Result: Totally, 182 studies resulted from a search in all databases. Duplicate removal, title, abstract, and full-text screening finally yielded 12 related studies, with 11 included in the meta-analysis. Quality assessment was satisfying in all studies. Pooled difference in NLR means value between patients and controls was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.24-0.52, p-value <0.0001). An I2 of 51% and a Cochran Q test p-value of <0.05 indicated moderate heterogeneity; thus, subgroup analysis had no indication. Publication bias was not significant (Funnel plot with an Egger’s intercept of -0.07; p value=0.95). Conclusion: Significant higher amounts of NLR may be strongly indicative of underlying inflammation in AS.

Bilateral Alloplastic Prostheses for Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or Bechterew disease is a chronic, usually progressive, systemic inflammatory joint disease, which predominantly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. In these joints, early inflammatory changes are followed by lumbosacral pain and progressive restriction of spinal movement associated with radiologically visible intervertebral ossification. Peripheral joint involvement occurs in 10 to 30% of patients and shows a predilection for the shoulders, knees, ankles, feet, and wrists. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement has been described, and its reported frequency varies from 11 to 35%. However, ankylosis is uncommon with a single documented case utilizing an alloplastic prosthesis for total joint replacement. A case report of bilateral ankylosis of the jaw treated with alloplastic prostheses for total TMJ replacement using a Brazilian system in a patient with AS is presented.