ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

SUMMARY

1. Ankylosing means fusing, while spondylitis means inflammation of the spine.

2. AS is a seronegative systemic disease marked by ascending axial inflammation which progresses to spinal and SI joint fusion resulting in a radiographic bamboo spine.

3. Age of onset: 20-30 years, affects men more than women.

4. Patients have significant morning stiffness/pain, which improves with activity, assoc. with symptomatic & painful sacroilitis.

5. Extra-articular manifestations: iritis/uveitis (about 1/3 of patients), conjunctivitis, IHD, aortic insufficiency/aortitis, apical pulmonary fibrosis, lgA nephropathy, urethritis/prostatitis.

6. Iritis or anterior uveitis may precede sacroiliitis and usually presents as unilateral pain, photophobia, and increased lacrimation.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].