Table 1.

Ankylosing Spondylitis patient and control characteristics

	AS patient(n=10)	Control (n=10)
Age median (range) years:	47 (18–58)	45 (28–57)
Sex, %male:	90	90
Disease duration median (range) years:	15 (2–32)	NA
HLA-B27, number positive:	9	0
BASDAI, median (range):	3.2 (0–5.4)	N.A.
Arthritis meds:
NSAIDs:	6	1*
Methotrexate:	2	0
TNF-blockers:	5	0
Other:	sulfasalazine (1)	allopurinol (1)
	glucosamine (1)	glucosamine (1)
	fosamax (1)

^*1 Control was taking 325 mg aspirin for history of myocardial infarction. Not included above were 3 other controls taking anti-platelet doses of aspirin (81 mg).

NA: not applicable, ND: not determined, BASDAI: Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score, NSAIDS: non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, TNF: Tumor necrosis factor. 6 patients were on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS: Methotrexate and/or TNF blockers).