Tables two and three: Calculating the
scores for each of the BASMI measurements

As previously mentioned, there are two tables available for calculating the BASMI scores from the measurements obtained. The first table shown below (table two) is that used in the original documentation for the BASMI (Jenkinson et al, 1994). The second (table three) has since been developed at Bath and is an expansion on the first. For both tables the measurement obtained is found along the appropriate row and the column in which it falls provides the score. For example, a mean cervical rotation measurement of 30 degrees would give a score of 1 in table two and a score of 7 in table three. Clinicians must be consistent in which table they choose to use – this should be documented.

Table Two

	Mild 0	Moderate 1	Severe 2
Cervical rotation (Mean of L & R) Tragus to wall (Mean of L & R) Lumbar side flexion (Mean of L & R)	> 70 degrees < 15cm > 10cm	20 –70 degrees 15 – 30 cm 5 – 10 cm	< 20 degrees > 30 cm < 5 cm
Lumbar flexion (modified schobers) Intermalleolar distance	> 4 cm > 100cm	2 – 4 cm 70 – 100 cm	< 2 cm < 70 cm

Add the 0, 1, 2 scores for each of the five measurements using the table above (the mean for cervical spine rotation counting as one score and similarly for tragus to wall & lumbar spine side flexion). This will provide you with a figure out of 10. This is the BASMI score. The higher the BASMI score the more severe the patient’s limitation of movement due to their AS.