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BACKGROUND
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a disease that causes pain and stiffness in the back, neck, and sometimes hips and heels. It begins with inflammation around the bones in the spine or in some joints. Later, it can sometimes cause the bones in the spine to fuse together.
DISEASE OCCURRENCE IN POPULATION:
Ankylosing spondylitis prevalence in Pakistan could be between 0.5 to 1% of the population.
It occurs in 0.1-1% of the general population, with the highest prevalence in northern European countries and the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.
RISK FACTORS:
GENDER: Men are more likely to develop ankylosing spondylitis than are women.
AGE: Onset generally occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood.
HEREDITY: Most people who have ankylosing spondylitis have the HLA-B27 gene. But many people who have this gene never develop ankylosing spondylitis.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:
The most common symptom is pain in the low back. This pain usually:
The back might also become less flexible. This can make it harder to do things like bend forward to put on socks or shoes. It can also lead to a “hunchback” posture over time.
Other symptoms might include:
In some cases, ankylosing spondylitis can lead to other problems, such as:
DIAGNOSTIC TEST:
No. There is no one test that can tell if you have ankylosing spondylitis. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have it by learning about your symptoms, doing an exam, and using imaging tests to look at your bones and joints.
TREATMENT OPTIONS:
Treatment depends on your symptoms and how severe your condition is. The goal of treatment is to relieve your symptoms, help you do your normal activities, and keep your condition from causing other problems.
Exercise is an important part of treating ankylosing spondylitis. Some people work with a physical therapist (an exercise expert) to learn the best way to exercise. You might do stretches and gentle exercises to strengthen your muscles. It is especially important to work on your posture. That’s because ankylosing spondylitis can cause the head to tilt forward in a “hunchback” posture. Special exercises can help prevent this.
Many people with ankylosing spondylitis also take one or more medicines. These might include:
Surgery can help some people with severe ankylosing spondylitis. For instance, some people have hip replacement surgery to replace a bad hip joint.
PRECAUTIONS:
If you smoke, quit. Smoking is generally bad for your health, but it creates additional problems for people with ankylosing spondylitis. Depending on the severity of your condition, ankylosing spondylitis can affect the mobility of your rib cage. Damaging your lungs by smoking can further compromise your ability to breathe.
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