BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been confirmed to play an important role in the development and progression of diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease and it is hard to be found in early time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of lncRNA-AK001085 in the diagnosis of AS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of lncRNA-AK001085 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The relationship between its expression and clinicopathologic characteristics was also analyzed. Meanwhile the correlation between lncRNA-AK001085 expression and diseases activity indexes was estimated. In addition, the value of it in the diagnosis of AS was explored through establishing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS: Serum lncRNA-AK001085 expression was decreased in patients with AS compared with healthy individuals. And its expression was proved to be influenced by ever cigarette smoker, exercise level and occupational activity level. Besides, the correlation of the expression of lncRNA-AK001085 and disease activity indexes (BASDI, ASDAS, ESR, CRP) were all negative, which suggested that the lncRNA-AK001085 was significantly lower in patients with a high disease activity score. It might showed that the expression of lncRNA-AK001085 affected the activity of AS.

CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA-AK001085 was down-regulated in AS patients and it could be an independent diagnostic indicator.

Keywords: Diagnosis, Spondylitis, Spondylitis, Ankylosing