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BASMI Metrology — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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EasySpondyloarthropathyBASMI MetrologySCE Rheumatology

A 55-year-old man with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis undergoes assessment of cervical rotation, tragus-to-wall distance, lateral lumbar flexion, lumbar flexion using the modified Schober test, and maximal intermalleolar distance. Which composite index combines these five measurements?

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Correct answer: C — Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI)

The correct answer is C. BASMI is an objective composite measure of axial and hip mobility comprising cervical rotation, tragus-to-wall distance, lateral lumbar flexion, modified Schober measurement and maximal intermalleolar distance. Chest expansion and occiput-to-wall distance may be recorded separately but are not BASMI components. BASFI is a patient-reported functional index, whereas BASDAI measures patient-reported disease activity. ASDAS is a disease-activity score incorporating symptoms and an acute-phase marker. DAS28 assesses peripheral joint disease activity, principally in rheumatoid arthritis, and is unsuitable for quantifying axial mobility.

Reference: Jenkinson TR et al. Defining spinal mobility in ankylosing spondylitis (AS): the Bath AS Metrology Index. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 1994. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7799351/