Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). A clinicoradiological study of the disease pattern in Middle Eastern populations.

The distribution and manifestations of arthritic diseases vary widely between different populations and countries. Our study confirms the presence of diffuse skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in Middle Eastern as well as western populations. The clinicoradiological pattern of 38 patients with DISH syndrome in the Middle East is described. It shows general agreement with the pattern described in western countries with regard to sex, age, most of the clinical symptomatology and radiological findings. None of our patients, however, suffered from dysphagia in contrast to a high incidence in Europe and the United States. One case of quadriparesis is reported in our series. We noted a higher association with diabetes mellitus and lower incidence of cervical, lumbar and upper extremity radiological involvement.