Assessment of Peripheral Neuropathy in Ankylosing Spondylitis
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Nerve conduction study.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Peripheral Neuropathies. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Egypt
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Assessment of Peripheral Neuropathy in Ankylosing Spondylitis and Its Correlation With, Central Sensitization, Disease Activity and Quality of Life
Overview
investigators hypothesized that peripheral neuropathy in ankylosing spondylitis is associated with higher disease activity, greater central sensitization, worse functional impairment, and poorer quality of life.
Detailed description
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton, leading to persistent back pain, stiffness, and progressive functional impairment.
Pain in AS has been attributed to inflammation; however, accumulating evidence suggests that non-inflammatory mechanisms, including neuropathic pain and central sensitization, play a significant role in the overall pain experience.
Previous studies using screening tools such as Pain DETECT and S LANSS(Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs) questionnaires have reported that a considerable proportion of patients exhibit neuropathic pain features, with prevalence ranging from approximately 28% to over 50%. Moreover, neuropathic pain has been associated with higher disease activity scores, worse functional status, and impaired quality of life.
In addition, central sensitization defined as an amplification of neural signaling within the central nervous system has been proposed as a key contributor to chronic pain in AS. Neuroimaging and psychophysical studies have demonstrated alterations in brain structure and pain processing in AS patients, supporting the presence of central pain mechanisms.
Peripheral neuropathy may also occur in AS, potentially due to chronic inflammation, immune-mediated pathways, or mechanical and treatment-related factors. Electrophysiological evaluation using nerve conduction studies (NCS) provides an objective method for detecting large-fiber neuropathy and has revealed peripheral nervous system involvement in a subset of AS patients.
Disease activity in AS is commonly assessed using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), while disease-specific quality of life can be evaluated using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire. Understanding the interaction between inflammatory activity, neuropathic pain, and central sensitization is essential for optimizing patient management.
Interventions
- Diagnostic test Nerve conduction study
Peripheral neuropathy will be evaluated using nerve conduction studies (NCS) for upper and lower limbs peripheral nerves performed according to standard electrophysiological techniques.
Primary outcome measures
- presence of peripheral neuropathy [Time frame: 1 month]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Patients aged ≥18 years
- Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis according to the modified New York criteria (6).
- Ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Patients under the age of 18 years.
- Patients with definite diagnosis for any other systemic autoimmune disorders.
- Diabetes mellitus
- Chronic renal or hepatic disease
- Alcohol abuse or drug-induced neuropathy
- Known neurological disorders affecting peripheral nerves
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-only
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- Assiut university — Asyut
Publications
- Atik S, Sahin O, Atik I, Polat M. Neuropathic Pain Component in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and the Relationship of Neuropathic Pain and Disease Activity Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2024 Sep 1;24(3):284-290. PMID 39219326
- Wu Q, Inman RD, Davis KD. Neuropathic pain in ankylosing spondylitis: a psychophysics and brain imaging study. Arthritis Rheum. 2013 Jun;65(6):1494-503. doi: 10.1002/art.37920. PMID 23460087
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07641920 · Ankylosing.6.2026