Insight on Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 in Ankylosing Spondylitis and its association with disease activity and radiographic damage.

Introduction: Fusion of joints as well as intervertebral spaces by the formation of bony spurs appearing as syndesmophytes and osteophytes are the hallmark of spondyloarthropathies which accounts for disability. The aim of this study was to assess the serum level of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 in ankylosing spondylitis and its relationship with disease activity and the radiographic damage.

Methods: This longitudinal case control study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals (Egypt).