Everyone Healthy Library
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Also Known As: Bechterew Syndrome; Spondyloarthritis
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
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Connected health information
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Condition overview
Attributes
Incidenceis approximately 1 in 667 people
Linked signs and symptoms
15Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
9Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
15Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Medical therapy
2Lifestyle changes
4Behavioural changes
2Alternative and complementary therapies
5Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
20These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Concentration
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
- Complement Fixation Test
- complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Test
- erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Immunodiagnostic Tests
- Indirect Fluorescent Assay (IFA)
- Indirect Hemagglutination
- magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Microscopic Examination
- Physical Exam
- polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test
- Potassium Sensitivity Test
- Protein Electrophoresis (Blood, Serum Protein)
- Radio-ImmunoAssay (RIA)
- Spiral (helical) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- X-Ray
Biological markers/agents
2This visual map shows biological markers/agents reported as increased or decreased with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
2Often decreased
0No markers in this group.
Introduction / full article
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by inflammation of the spine and major joints.
Causes
The exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not known, although it has been observed to run in families. It is also considerably more common in men than women; particularly for individuals aged between 20 to 40 years.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms appear gradually, and the disease progresses considerably before they become specific for ankylosing spondylitis. On average, a decade elapses following the onset of ankylosing spondylitis before diagnosis is reached.
The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:
· Chronic pain and rigidity in the spine;
· Fatigue;
· Nausea;
· Pain and swelling of joints, particularly in children; and
· Inflammation of the eye, in a small number of cases.
There is no test which can be used to diagnose AS definitively. A physical and x-ray examination may indicate characteristic spinal changes. However, the drawback is that these spinal changes may take years to become noticeable.
During periods of acute inflammation, blood tests may indicate an increase in the concentration of certain proteins.
Treatment
Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is aimed at alleviating pain in the back and joints, promoting free motion through the joints, and preventing or correcting spinal deformations.
Certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to reduce swelling of the joints, therefore assisting movement. Exercises can be recommended to retain posture and freedom of movement, including stretching and deep breathing.