Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) in assessing disease activity and therapeutic outcomes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Methods
This is a single-center retrospective study. A total of 40 AS patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou College were enrolled in this study. Color Doppler high-frequency ultrasonography was employed to examine the sacroiliac joints. Changes in ultrasonographic findings were analyzed before and after treatment with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor II-immunoglobulin G Fc fusion protein injection (etanercept, Sunshine Guojian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.). This study did not set a healthy control group or disease control group.
Results
The male-to-female ratio was 32:8. The average age was 33 ± 12 years, with a minimum age of 16 years and a maximum age of 48 years. The duration of illness ranged between 1 and 12 years, with an average duration of 6.22 ± 7.65 years. Posttreatment analysis revealed a significant reduction in the positive rate of ultrasonographic findings in the sacroiliac joints compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in the blood flow resistance of the sacroiliac joints at the 12th and 24th weeks of treatment compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were noted in the blood flow patterns of the sacroiliac joints before and after treatment (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
CDUS can effectively detect hemodynamic changes in sacroiliac joints of AS patients and enable real-time monitoring of therapeutic responses to etanercept.
Keywords
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