Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes arthritis of the spine and hips. It can also affect other joints such as the knees, and it can cause inflammation of the eyes, lungs, or heart valves.

The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not known. However, most people with ankylosing spondylitis share a common gene marker called HLA-B27. This finding indicates that genes play an important role in the development of this condition.

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

• Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
• Age: adolescent and young adult (ages 15-35)
• Family members with ankylosing spondylitis
• Having the HLA-B27 gene marker
• Sex: male

The severity of symptoms can vary from mild to very severe.

Common symptoms may include:

• Occasionally, pain and stiffness in other joints:
  • Feet
  • Knee
  • Neck
  • Rib cage
  • Shoulders
  • Upper back
• Stiffening and pain (arthritis) of the:
  • Lower back
  • Sacroiliac joint, where the back and hip meet, possibly radiating down the legs
• Chest pain, which may suggest heart, heart valve (aortic insufficiency), or lung involvement
• Eye pain, visual changes, increased tearing which may suggest eye involvement (uveitis)
• Pain that is often worse at night
• Stiffness that is worse in the morning
• Symptom improvement with exercise or activity

Less common symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Numbness (if arthritic spurs compress the spinal nerves)

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Diagnosis is based on common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, such as:

• Dramatic loss of flexibility of the lower back and spine (limitation of motion of the low back)
• Limited chest expansion when taking deep breaths
• Pain in the lower back

Tests may include:

• Blood tests to check for:
  • Anemia
  • Elevated sedimentation rate
  • HLA-B27 gene marker
  • Presence of other autoimmune markers
• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the involved joints
• MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the involved joints
• X-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of the lower back and hips to check for characteristic changes

There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis. Treatment is aimed at providing education and relieving the symptoms.

Treatments may include:

There are no guidelines for preventing ankylosing spondylitis because the cause is unknown.