The preliminary results of a meta–analysis presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 conference showed that smoking is associated with increased progression of structural damage to the spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

To determine whether smoking is associated with more rapid spinal damage and disease progression seen on X–rays in AS patients, a detailed review and meta–analysis of all the relevant, currently available studies was conducted.

The combined data taken from 8 eligible studies suggested a significant association between smoking and cumulative spinal structural damage (Odds Ratio 2.02). Data from studies investigating the association between smoking and disease progression on spinal X–rays reflected in the formation of new bony growths (known as syndesmophytes ) and / or an increase in size of these syndesmophytes is still being assessed.

"Smoking constitutes a major risk factor not only for disease susceptibility but also disease severity in patients with AS," said lead author Professor Servet Akar from Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. "Rheumatologists should work hard to encourage their AS patients to quit smoking as this could have a major impact on future quality of life," he added.