Balance impairment, vestibular dysfunction, and fear of falling in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a controlled posturographic study

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may impair postural control and balance through musculoskeletal and proprioceptive alterations. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate vestibulo-ocular reflex parameters, balance performance, and fear of falling in patients with AS compared with healthy controls. MATERIAL AND

Audiologists and vestibular specialists seeing patients with ankylosing spondylitis should be aware of likely balance impairment and fear of falling; consider including vestibular screening in this population, though larger prospective studies are needed before formal protocol changes.

It expands awareness that ankylosing spondylitis carries vestibular and balance consequences often overlooked outside rheumatology, potentially broadening the referral base for vestibular audiology services.

1. 01Controlled posturographic study compared vestibular/balance function in ankylosing spondylitis patients vs. healthy controls.
2. 02Patients with ankylosing spondylitis showed measurable balance impairment and vestibulo-ocular dysfunction.
3. 03Fear of falling was significantly elevated in the ankylosing spondylitis group.
4. 04Published in Acta Otolaryngologica (2026); study design is controlled but retrospective/observational.
5. 05Findings suggest vestibular assessment may be warranted in routine management of ankylosing spondylitis.

PMID

42228403

DOI

10.1080/00016489.2026.2679651.

Journal

Acta Otolaryngologica

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis compared to healthy controls

Intervention

Posturographic assessment of balance and vestibulo-ocular function

Comparator

Healthy controls