Effect of smoking on disease activity and patients functions in ankylosing spondylitis patients
Smoking is a harmful factor in spinal diseases in general, although this negative affect is poorly defined.
As far as AS is concerned, there is a direct affect on the lungs function through the frequently observed ankylosis of costotransversal, costovertebral and costosternal junctures which leads to early ventilatory dysfunction. Smoking causes an additional chronic pulmonary obstructive disease which adds on and worsens the pulmonary function favouring the development of right heart failure over the time.
Smoking has been implicated as the single biggest modifiable risk factor for disease activity and more severe disease.
The effect of smoking on the outcome of Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is twofold:
1. Effect on the inflammatory activity of the disease and the radiologic damage:
A few studies have shown that there is a deleterious effect of smoking in AS:
Smokers have more active disease and further damage on the axial skeleton in AS.
2. Effect on the lungs:
There already is a restrictive lung disease in AS due to limited chest expansion (secondary to arthritis of the costo-vertebral joints ).
Also, occasionally, there is lung fibrosis, mostly in the apices, causing restrictive disease.
Smoking adds insult to injury here by causing obstructive lung disease.
Thanks a lot Panayot , Narender, and Majdah for your answers.Best regards
Nothing further to contribute. Why do you ask yourself that question?
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