High level of functional dickkopf-1 predicts protection from syndesmophyte formation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

AS patients with no syndesmophyte formation show significantly higher functional Dkk1 levels suggesting that blunted Wnt signalling suppresses new bone formation and consequently syndesmophyte growth and spinal ankylosis. Similar to serum sclerostin levels, the functional Dkk1 level thus emerges as a potential biomarker for structural progression in patients with AS.