Ankylosing spondylitis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
History and symptoms
The typical patient is young, of 15 to 30 years of age with chronic pain and stiffness in the lower part of the spine. Men are affected more than women by a ratio in excess of 2:1.[1] In 40% of cases, ankylosing spondylitis is associated with iridocyclitis (anterior uveitis, also known as iritis) causing eye pain and photophobia (increased sensitivity to light). Other common symptoms are recurring mouth ulcers (aphthae) and fatigue. Pain fluctuation from one side to the other.
Typical prodromes (early symptoms) may occur at a very young age (e.g. 3 years old), where the patient may experience recurring painful joints (e.g. knees, elbows), commonly misinterpreted as simple rheumatism.