OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of @entity1691 ( @entity1691 ) in Shantou, China, and assess the therapeutic effect of slow acting antirheumatic drugs (SAARD). METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data as well as the results of SAARD treatment were analyzed in 370 consecutive cases (46 female) seen in the period 1983-97. All @entity1 met the modified New York criteria for @entity1691 . @entity1530 was present in 83 of 89 (93.3%) @entity1 tested. RESULTS: Insidious onset was seen in 94.3% of the cases studied: 33.5% with disease onset prior to age 20 years, 53.5% between ages 20-30 years, and 98.1% of all under age 40. Low back @entity158 /discomfort, @entity625 , positive "4" test, and tenderness over the sacroiliac joints/lumbar spine were the most frequent symptoms and signs. With some exceptions, the extent of @entity6592 and involvement of the hip and spine were closely related to disease duration. Average disease duration was shorter among @entity1 diagnosed after 1989 than before. A total of 107 cases have been followed for more than 3 years, of which 57 @entity1 persisted with SAARD treatment for more than 3 years. Forty-four of the 57 cases (11.9% of the total of 370 cases) resulted in a good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of @entity1691 in Shantou, China, improved in the 1990s. SAARD were effective in the treatment of @entity1691 at least in a small portion of the @entity1 . @entity1 compliance and longterm treatment were essential to obtain a better outcome.

XXXX in Shantou, China: 15 years' clinical experience.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'Patient'] @entity6592 :: ('MESH:D058566', 'Disease') :: ['sacroiliitis'] @entity1530 :: ('3106', 'Gene') :: ['HLA-B27'] @entity625 :: ('MESH:D001168', 'Disease') :: ['peripheral arthritis'] @entity1691 :: ('MESH:D013167', 'Disease') :: ['ankylosing spondylitis', 'AS'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain']
@entity1691 :: (MESH:D013167,Disease) :: ['Ankylosing spondylitis']
