Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is chronic inflammatory spondyloarthritis affecting axial skeleton, sacroiliac joints, entheses; HLA-B27+ in 90%. Clinical: inflammatory back pain (morning stiffness >30 min, improves with activity), sacroiliitis, uveitis, enthesitis, IBD association, chest wall restriction. Diagnosis: modified New York criteria (X-ray/MRI sacroiliitis, HLA-B27, clinical). Treatment: NSAIDs (first-line); TNF inhibitors (etanercept/adalimumab/infliximab) or IL-17A inhibitors (secukinumab/ixekizumab); sulfasalazine for peripheral arthritis; methotrexate limited axial; glucocorticoids (local/short-course); PT/exercise (swimming, stretching); smoking cessation; monitor uveitis, IBD, osteoporosis, cardiopulmonary; follow-up rheumatology/ophthalmology/gastroenterology.

Common Symptoms

Inflammatory back pain; morning stiffness; sacroiliitis; uveitis; reduced chest expansion

Causes and Pathogenesis

Autoimmune HLA-B27-associated enthesitis/sacroiliitis/spinal fusion.

Treatment

NSAIDs; TNF/IL-17 inhibitors; sulfasalazine; PT/exercise; smoking cessation

Preventive Measures

Exercise; smoking cessation; monitor uveitis/IBD/osteoporosis.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Rheumatology/Ophthalmology/Gastroenterology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.