EXCRETION OF 17-KETOSTEROIDS IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLARTHRITIS AND IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Abstract

Because of the difference in sex incidence in anky-losing spondylarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, the urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion was measured in 13 males having spondylarthritis and in 11 females with rheumatoid arthritis. In the spondylarthritic males, the avg. age was 39.4 yrs., range 25 - 43. Avg. duration of symptoms was 10.6 yrs., range 3 - 26. The ages of females averaged 40.4 yrs., range 25-52. The method used was an adaptation of that described by Robbie and Gibson. An aliquot of the total 24-hr. urine was used for examination and the final figures computed for the entire 24-hr. vol. Values for normal adult males in the authors'' laboratory varied between 8 and 28 mg., avg. 14 mg.; the values for normal females 5-18 mg., avg. 9 to 10 mg. The results in patients with spondylarthritis showed a definite increase in the excretion of urinary 17-ketosteroids above the normals, with an avg. excretion by them of 27.3 mg., range 19.2 - 43.7 mgs. The females with rheumatoid arthritis showed an avg. excretion of 12.8 mg., with a range from 3.5 mg. - 21.6.