Ankylosing spondylitis (patient information)
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What is ankylosing spondylitis?
How do I know if I have ankylosing spondylitis and what are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?
Early signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may limit in your back and hip. When the disease developes, other organs may be involved.
- Chronic pain in your lower back and hips, stiffness in your lower back or hip area, especially in the morning and after periods of inactivity. With disease progresses, your symptoms get worse and you may feel pain and stiffness over time.
- Joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Stiff, inflexible spine
- Eye inflammation or uveitis
- Restricted expansion of your chest
- Low fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Who is at risk for ankylosing spondylitis?
- Heredity: Almost 90% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis are born with the HLA-B27 gene. Recent data demonstrate gene ARTS1 and IL23R are associated with ankylosing spondylitis.
- Gender: Male
- Age: 10~40 years old.
How to know you have ankylosing spondylitis?
- Blood tests
- HLA-B27 gene examinaton: Absence of gene HLA-B27 may suggest that you have less probobility to have ankylosing spondylitis.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): As an autoimmune disease, ESR my elevate in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
- C-reactive protein (CRP): CRP is a protein that your liver produces when the immune is damaged. CRP my elevate in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
- Complete blood count (CBC): Patients may demonstrate anemia, a complication that can result from the chronic inflammation of ankylosing spondylitis.
- X-rays, CT or MRI in spine and joints: These images allow the doctor to trace the changes in your spine, joints and bones, then modify your treatments.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis develop.
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
- Strain of lumbosacral joint
- Osteoarthritis
- Forestier's disease
- Tuberculous spondylitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bone cancer
Where to find medical care for ankylosing spondylitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating ankylosing spondylitis
Prevention of ankylosing spondylitis
Prevention of ankylosing spondylitis is not clear.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Prognosis of ankylosing spondylitis varies from person to person. Most patients can maintain a good function. Wwhile other patients may lose daily functions. Prognosis depends on:
- Onset age: The early onset age, the worse prognosis will be.
- Whether organs outside joints are affected.
- Whether the patient is treated in time.
- Whether the patient is keeping on exercises.
Copyleft Sources
http://www.medicinenet.com/ankylosing_spondylitis/article.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000420.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ankylosing-spondylitis/DS00483
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/ankylosing-spondylitis