Mackay et al developed the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI) to evaluate the severity of ankylosing spondylitis involving the sacroiliac joints, cervical spine and lumbar spine. It is based on the New York grading of radiographic changes. The authors are from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, England.
The cervical spine is evaluated from the lower border of C1 to the upper border of C7.
The lumbar spine is evaluated from the lower border of T12 to the upper border of S1.
Parameters:
(1) radiologic involvement of the sacroiliac spines
(2) radiologic involvement of the cervical spine in lateral view
(3) radiologic involvement of the lumbar spine in lateral and anteroposterior (AP) views
Scoring of the sacroliliac joints (after the New York grading scheme)
|
Changes in Both Sacroiliac Joints
|
Points
|
|
none
|
0
|
|
suspicious
|
1
|
|
minimal/mild disease
|
2
|
|
moderate disease
|
3
|
|
severe disease
|
4
|
BASRI scoring of the spine (BASRI-s)
|
Erosions, Squaring, Sclerosis
|
Syndesmophytes
|
Fusion
|
Points
|
|
none
|
none
|
none
|
0
|
|
suspicious
|
none
|
none
|
1
|
|
present
|
0-2 vertebrae
|
none
|
2
|
|
NA
|
>= 3 vertebrae
|
0 - 2
|
3
|
|
NA
|
NA
|
>= 3
|
4
|
where:
• Syndesmophyte = bony outgrowth along a ligament
points for lumbar spine =
= MAX(points for lateral view, points for AP view)
total score =
= (points for SI joints) + (points for cervical spine) + (maximum points for lumbar views)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 12
• The higher the score the more severe the ankylosing spondylitis.
Performance:
• The authors found the score simple, rapid and reliable.
• It is sensitive to change and specific for AS.
