[The value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in evaluating disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis].

Objective: To determine whether erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) is more appropriate in measuring the disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: We studied 126 consecutive patients with AS. The external criteria for disease activity were Cowling clinical assessment of disease activity and the Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI).