Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a condition where your spine becomes inflamed and stiffened so that walking and moving around is difficult and painful. Your spine loses its normal shape and may cause you to become bent forward and you may find straightening your back difficult. Joints such as your hips and knees and less commonly your chest, eyes and heart may be affected.
About 1 in 100 people in the UK develop AS and it is most common in young men. Women can also be affected. AS often improves as you get older.
The cause is not known but some people have an inherited blood type that makes it more likely that they will get the condition. Certain circumstances, such as bowel infections, may cause AS to develop in people with this inherited blood type.
AS usually starts with an ache in your buttocks, the back of your thighs
and your lower back and can last for weeks or months at a time. Some
people with AS feel generally unwell, with fever and night sweats, and may
lose weight.
The pain and stiffness in your back is worse after resting and improves
with exercise. So, the stiffness is at its worst when you wake in the
morning and wears off during the day. There is also more pain and
stiffness after long periods of sitting, for example after a long car
journey.
Some people will occasionally have chest pain where the ribs join the
spine or the breastbone. This can make it painful to move your chest when
you exercise or even when you breathe.
About 1 in 3 people with AS will get an inflamed, painful and red eye
(acute iritis) which can make it difficult to see for a short while.
Some patients with AS are more likely to develop other medical conditions
including psoriasis (a skin disease), bowel problems and in rare cases,
heart problems.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and may examine your back, some of your joints and listen to your heart. Blood tests can confirm the inflammation in your spine and joints. You are likely to need an X-ray of your lower spine which usually confirms the diagnosis of AS.
Back and breathing exercises can be suggested by a physiotherapist to
help keep your spine and joints mobile. Staying active and exercising
regularly are a vital part of keeping this condition under control. Your
doctor may suggest you see a physiotherapist.
Anti-inflammatory medicines prescribed by your doctor can treat the
inflammation and will help relieve the pain and stiffness. They may need
to be given in quite high doses to be effective and some of these can
cause indigestion or other problems. Any problems should be reported
immediately to your doctor.
Surgery and X-ray treatment are occasionally needed in serious cases.
If you develop a painful red eye, see your doctor urgently. You may need a
course of eye drops and probably assessment by a hospital specialist to
treat the problem.
The outlook is generally good. Nearly 90 per cent of patients are able to continue working full-time and only 1 in 20 develop severe spinal problems.
| Arthritis Research Campaign PO Box 177 Chesterfield Derbyshire S41 7TQ Tel: 01246 558033 |
National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society 3 Grovenor Crescent London SW1X 7ER Tel: 0171 235 9585 |
This factsheet supported by Boehringer Ingelheim