Clinical Trial Study on the Improved New Method of Acupotomy for AS

Based on the patient's symptoms over the past week, an assessment is conducted through six questions. The first five questions are scored using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10 points). The calculation formula is generally expressed as:

BASDAI = 0.2 × (A + B + C + D + (E + F)/2)

Where:

A represents the degree of fatigue/tiredness; B represents the degree of pain in the neck, back, or hips; C represents the degree of pain/swelling in other joints; D represents the level of discomfort from bodily tenderness or pressure pain; E represents the severity of morning stiffness; F represents the duration of morning stiffness (converted to a 0-10 score). BASDAI ≥4 indicates high disease activity, while a score <4 suggests lower disease activity.

Based on the patient's symptoms over the past week, an assessment is conducted through six questions. The first five questions are scored using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10 points). The calculation formula is generally expressed as: BASDAI = 0.2 × (A + B + C + D + (E + F)/2) Where: A represents the degree of fatigue/tiredness; B represents the degree of pain in the neck, back, or hips; C represents the degree of pain/swelling in other joints; D represents the level of discomfort from bodily tenderness or pressure pain; E represents the severity of morning stiffness; F represents the duration of morning stiffness (converted to a 0-10 score). BASDAI ≥4 indicates high disease activity, while a score <4 suggests lower disease activity.

The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) is a 10-item instrument used to measure functional limitation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Each item is scored on a 0 to 10 visual analog scale, where 0 indicates easy and 10 indicates impossible. The total score is calculated as the mean of the 10 item scores and ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate worse functional status.

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) is a composite index used to measure disease activity in participants with ankylosing spondylitis. It combines patient-reported items and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels into a single score. The minimum score is 0, with lower scores indicating lower disease activity and higher scores indicating worse disease activity. There is no fixed maximum value because the upper end of the scale depends on the CRP level. ASDAS-CRP disease activity states are defined as inactive disease (<1.3), moderate disease activity (1.3 to <2.1), high disease activity (2.1 to ≤3.5), and very high disease activity (>3.5). Clinically important improvement is defined as a decrease of at least 1.1 units, and major improvement is defined as a decrease of at least 2.0 units.

The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) is an instrument used to measure axial skeletal mobility in participants with ankylosing spondylitis. The total score ranges from 0 to 10. Lower scores indicate better spinal and hip mobility, while higher scores indicate greater limitation of movement and worse axial mobility.

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL) is a patient-reported instrument used to measure the impact of ankylosing spondylitis on health-related quality of life. The total score ranges from 0 to 18. Lower scores indicate better quality of life, while higher scores indicate worse quality of life.

Pain due to ankylosing spondylitis measured on a 0 to 10 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) over the past week, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the most severe pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain.

Use of rescue medication during the study period, including medication type, dose, frequency, duration, and changes over time, prospectively recorded based on participant-reported and recorded medication use.