Clinical and radiological characteristics of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in two medical centers in Cali, Colombia: Report of 24 cases

Abstract Introduction Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a condition characterized by calcification and progressive ossification of ligaments and entheses. Most patients remain asymptomatic until advanced stages of the disease, where limitation and pain are characteristic. Objective To describe the demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of patients with DISH evaluated in the Centro Medico Imbanaco and Clinica de Artritis Temprana, in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing the records of patients diagnosed with DISH between January 2000 and October 2018. The diagnosis was confirmed according to the Resnick-Niwayama criteria. A total of 24 patients were found, and all were included for the final analysis. Results and discussion The series included 20 men and 4 women, with a median age at diagnosis of 70.5 years (IQR 61.3–73.8 years), being lower in women (71.5 versus 60 years; p = 0.04). The median time of onset of the symptoms was 5 years (IQR 3–10 years), and the duration was shorter in women (5 versus 4 years; p = 0.20). It was observed that 54% were overweight and 20% were diabetic. The main symptom was cervical limitation. The most affected vertebral segments due to the ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) were C5-C6, T8-T10 and L1-L3 (cervical C; thoracic T; lumbar L). The peripheral involvement was mainly in the iliac crests. All patients received physiotherapy, and three of them underwent cervical surgery. The degree of functional limitation was assessed in 19 patients using the mHAQ (Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire) and BASFI (Functional Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional (BASFI) questionnaires. The median score of both questionnaires was 2 times higher in women. Conclusion Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis was more frequent in men over 65 years of age, and was associated with metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Although the differences were not significant, the results suggest that women have a more severe phenotype of the disease, explained by the early onset and progressive course of symptoms, as well as greater functional limitation measured by mHAQ and BASFI.