Ankylosing spondylitis is a spondyloarthritis characterized by inflammation of the spine (spondylitis), large joints, and fingers and toes, resulting in stiffness and pain.
Prolonged joint pain, morning back stiffness, and eye inflammation are common.
The diagnosis is based on symptoms, x-rays, and established criteria.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sometimes sulfasalazine or methotrexate can help relieve the arthritis in limbs.
Medications that inhibit tumor necrosis factor and some other biologic agents are very effective for spine and limb arthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is 3 times more common among men than women, developing most commonly between the ages of 20 and 40. The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not known, but the disease tends to run in families, indicating that genetics plays a role. Ankylosing spondylitis is 10 to 20 times more common among people whose parents or siblings have it. The HLA-B27 gene is present in 90% of White people who have ankylosing spondylitis, but it is also present in up to 10% of the general population depending on ethnicity. However, having the HLA-B27 gene does not mean that a person has or will develop ankylosing spondylitis. For example, only 50% of identical twins both have the disorder, which suggests that unknown environmental factors also may be involved.
