LAUSR

Background Previous studies have revealed that ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as the progenitor of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), has been characterized by the insidiously progressive nature of sacroiliitis and spondylitis. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has recently been used to analyse the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals with higher sensitivity and specificity. However, it remains unclear whether the existence of the MSU crystal deposits detected by DECT at the sacroiliac joint in patients with AxSpA also contributed to the existing structural damage. Objectives We performed this study to show the DECT MSU crystal deposits in AxSpA patients without coexisting gout and to ascertain whether the MSU crystal deposits at the sacroiliac joint in those patients increased the risk of the structural joint damage. Methods One hundred and eighty-six AxSpA patients without coexisting gout were recruited. The plain radiographs of the sacroiliac joint were obtained, along with the DECT scans at the pelvis and the clinical variables. All statistics based on the left or right sacroiliac joint damage grading (0–4) were calculated independently. Bivariate analysis and ordinal logistic regression was performed between the clinical features and radiographic grades at the sacroiliac joint. Results At painful joints or skeleton regions, large quantities of MSU crystal deposits were found in 186 patients with AxSpA, as depicted in green with DECT. The average MSU crystal volume at the left sacroiliac joint, the right sacroiliac joint, and the pelvis were 0.902±1.345, 1.074±1.878, and 5.272±9.044 cm3, values which were correlated with serum uric acid concentrations (r=0.727, 0.740, 0.896; p<0.001). At the left and right sacroiliac joint, the presence of MSU crystal deposits (=11.451, 43.684; p<0.01) and the volumes of MSU crystals (Z=9.198, Z=34.607; p<0.05) were statistically different among groups divided by the ASDAS scores. In bivariate analysis, wide clinical variables were associated with the changes in sacroiliac joint damage. When others factors were adjusted in the ordinal logistic models, the AxSpA duration, total back pain, BASFI score, and volume of MSU crystallization were the risk factors for the radiographic grade at the left sacroiliac joint (AOR=1.187, 1.428, 3.837, 2.018; p<0.05). The same risk factors were obtained for the right sacroiliac joint, except for total back pain. Additionally, the simplified models excluded the repeated variables; the AxSpA duration, BASFI score, and the volume of MSU crystallization at both sides of sacroiliac joint served as risk factors for the radiographic grade (left-AOR=1.180, 3.800, 1.920; right-AOR=1.190, 3.034, 1.418; p<0.01). Conclusions Large quantities of MSU crystal deposits detected by DECT were found in AxSpA patients without coexisting gout. In addition to AxSpA duration and BASFI score, the MSU crystal deposits at the sacroiliac joint in those patients independently increased the risk of structural joint damage. Disclosure of Interest None declared