Objective: To investigate the involvement of enthesis and its correlation with clinical and quality of life parameters in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).
Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients who comply with the SpA classification criteria of the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) were included into the study. Clinical parameters such as morning stiffness, rest pain, activity pain, tender joints and swollen joints were evaluated. Enthesitis were assessed by Mander Enthesis Index (MEI). The quality of life was assessed by Short Form-36 (SF-36).
Results: The incidence of enthesitis in patient with SpA was found at a rate of 84.9%. There was a significant correlation between MEI and morning stiffness, disease duration, tender joints and six subgroups of SF-36. The highest correlation was found between MEI and number of tender joint (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Enthesitis is commonly seen among patients with SpA. Enthesitis also affects the life quality of patients negatively.