Spondylitis Peer Review Journals

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been afflicting humankind as far back as ancient Egypt. It was during the 1800s that the classical description of AS was made. Throughout the 1900s, further understanding about the disease was established, including its hereditary nature. The disease is recognised as a part of the spondyloarthropathy group of rheumatic diseases. These include psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions share similar clinical features and an association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27.

The primary sites of inflammation in AS are the sacroiliac joints. Males tend to be more commonly affected than females, although studies over the years have shown this sex difference to be a lot more marginal than was initially thought. It primarily affects young adults, with a higher incidence in patients younger than 45 years old. As the disease progresses it may result in total fusion of the skeletal structure, and may cause loss of physical function and spinal mobility. Patients during which the disease has been inadequately treated or undiagnosed can develop a characteristic ‘bamboo spine’ where there's total fusion. As well as chronic pain, this will also end in restrictive lung function, resulting in respiratory failure.

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