CRP and osteoporosis: Disease duration, Bath AS Disease Activity Index, Bath AS Metrology Index, syndesmophytes, hip involvement and inflammatory parameters have been proposed as risk factors for osteoporosis or low BMD in AS.10 27–29 Moreover, markers of inflammation (C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, respectively) were predictors in AS for decrease in femoral neck BMD.29–31 Notably, male sex is a risk factor for more severe AS with regard to structural AS-related skeletal alterations.32 33