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Objectives: This study aims to identify the relationship between balance and sagittal spinopelvic alignment (SSA) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and compare patients with or without lumbopelvic mismatch in terms of balance. Patients and methods: We enrolled 41 patients (22 males, 19 females; mean age 41.3±8.9 years; range 21 to 57 years) into the study. SSA was evaluated measuring thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence on lateral standing X-rays of the whole spine including the femoral heads. Patients were grouped according to presence of lumbopelvic mismatch (lumbar lordosis-pelvic incidence >10o). Clinical parameters including age, body mass index, pain (Visual Analog Scale), disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), and disease duration were recorded. Posture was evaluated measuring tragus-to-wall distance, modified Schober's test and chest expansion. A computerized pressure plate system (NeuroCom Balance Master®) was used for evaluating static and dynamic balance. Correlations between SSA parameters and balance were analyzed. Patients with or without lumbopelvic mismatch were compared in terms of balance. Results: Patients took shorter steps, as thoracic kyphosis increased and sacral slope decreased (r= -0.391, p=0.012; r=0.344, p=0.028). Patients with lumbopelvic mismatch had significantly higher sway velocity on firm base with eyes closed and on foam base when the eyes open and closed. They also walked more slowly compared to patients without lumbopelvic mismatch (p>0.05). Conclusion: Lumbopelvic mismatch impaired both static and dynamic balance, while increased thoracic kyphosis and decreased sacral slope impaired only the dynamic balance in patients with AS. Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-ups need to be conducted to identify the mechanism of spinal deformities and balance disorders in patients with AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to compare ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with healthy subjects in terms of posture and balance, and to identify the factors correlated with balance in AS. Patients and methods: Thirty patients (17 males, 13 females; mean age 41.7±7.7 years; range 31 to 57 years) with AS and 33 healthy subjects (18 males, 15 females; mean age 41.3±7.0 years; range 26 to 56 years) were included in the study. Participants were assessed in terms of posture and balance. Posture was assessed using tragus-wall distance, modified Schober's test, and chest expansion. Balance was assessed using device-assisted balance tests. Pain (visual analog scale) and disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) were assessed only in AS patients. Results: Ankylosing spondylitis patients walked more slowly when compared to healthy subjects (p=0.002). As the modified Schober's test was restricted, AS patients had greater step width in tandem walk and higher sway velocity on foam base (r=-0.418 p=0.022; r=-0.473 p=0.008). Neither Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index nor visual analog scale was correlated with balance. Conclusion: Static and dynamic balance are impaired in AS patients when compared to healthy subjects. Restricted mobility of the spine and advanced kyphosis impaired balance, while pain and disease activity had no correlations with balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]