ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing pain, stiffness, and progressive fusion of the vertebrae. It belongs to a group of conditions known as spondyloarthropathies, which are characterized by inflammation of the spine and joints.

Here's an overview of ankylosing spondylitis:

• Symptoms:
  
• The hallmark symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is chronic back pain and stiffness, typically starting in the lower back and sacroiliac joints (where the spine meets the pelvis).
• Symptoms tend to develop gradually and may worsen over time, with periods of flare-ups and remission.
• Pain and stiffness in the neck, hips, and other large joints.
• Fatigue and generalized discomfort.
• Reduced chest expansion and difficulty breathing in severe cases.
• Eye inflammation (uveitis) and other systemic manifestations.
• Diagnosis:
  
• Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging studies, and laboratory tests.
• Key features include chronic back pain and stiffness lasting for at least three months, along with evidence of sacroiliitis on imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI.
• Blood tests may show elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
• Genetic testing for the HLA-B27 gene may also be performed, as the presence of HLA-B27 is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis.
• Prognosis: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic condition that tends to progress slowly over time. However, the course of the disease varies widely among individuals. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic condition that tends to progress slowly over time. However, the course of the disease varies widely among individuals.