Abstract: [Objective] To explore the efficacy of MRI functional imaging used for evaluation of early ankylosing spondylitis (AS) sacro- iliac arthritis. [Methods] A total of 48 patients who received comprehensive treatment with Chinese and Western medicine for AS were re- viewed. The clinical score, laboratory tests and MRI parameters were collected and compared, including BASDAI score, CRP, ESR, STIR, and parameters of MRI IVIM, additionally, correlations among the clinical score, laboratory tests and imaging data were searched. [Results] Compared with those before treatment, the BASDAI score, ESR, CRP, SPARCC score, ADCslow and f value significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.05) , whereas the ADCfast remained unchanged (P>0.05) . In term of relationship, the SPARCC score and ADCslow were high- ly correlated with BASDAI score and CRP (P<0.001) , moderately correlated with ESR (P<0.05) . In addition, there was a moderate and low correlation of f value with BASDAI score, CRP and ESR (P<0.05) , however, there was no clear correlation of ADCfast with BASDAI score, ESR and CRP. [Conclusion] MRI functional imaging items, such as SPARCC score, ADCslow and f value might be effective in evaluating the therapeutic outcomes of AS sacroiliac arthritis.