Is ankylosing spondylitis serious?

Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
Updated on October 21, 2024
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Patients with ankylosing spondylitis, if treated actively in the early stages, the condition is not severe. However, if the patient continues to seek irregular and improper medical care, it is possible to develop severe complications such as kyphosis and spinal ankylosis. In severe cases, patients may even self-harm. Therefore, it is advised that patients with ankylosing spondylitis seek treatment early, before the onset of spinal ankylosis. The treatment plan mainly includes non-steroidal analgesics, such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, medications to control the condition, such as sulfasalazine tablets, and biologic treatments. With the above treatments, the condition of ankylosing spondylitis can be controlled. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Does ankylosing spondylitis have a genetic component?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease primarily affecting the axial joints. The onset is determined by both genetic and environmental factors, leading to the disease. This means that the disease exhibits a significant familial aggregation and genetic predisposition. If the parents have it, the incidence in their children is much higher than in others. However, it is definitely not a genetic disease; it just has familial clustering and genetic tendencies. If symptoms like stiffness in the neck or pain in the lower back intensify when at rest and decrease after activity, it is essential to use CT or MRI scans and test for HLA-B27 to check for damage or narrowing in the sacroiliac joints. Early diagnosis and early treatment are crucial to improve the prognosis of the condition.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be cured but can be managed primarily through medication. Its main typical symptoms include stiffness in the neck or pain in the lower back, with the pain becoming more apparent when at rest or after sitting for a long time. Symptoms tend to improve with movement. A typical occurrence is pain that awakens the patient at night. Peripheral joints like the knee joint and heel can also be affected. However, the main symptoms are stiffness in the neck and pain in the lower back. Diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis requires combining symptoms with a positive B27 blood test result, and imaging tests such as CT or MRI of the sacroiliac joints, showing signs of sacroiliitis, narrowing or damage in the sacroiliac joint space, to confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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What medicine is used for ankylosing spondylitis?

The medication for ankylosing spondylitis mainly involves three aspects. The first is non-steroidal pain-relief medications, commonly including drugs like sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets. The second involves drugs that control the condition, commonly using medications like sulfasalazine and thalidomide. The third, which is currently the most effective, involves treatment with biologics. Common biologics include tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. However, before using biologics, it is crucial to rigorously rule out complications such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and tumors. Only after excluding these conditions should one consider using biologics. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis should also pay attention to appropriate functional exercises in daily life to prevent the stiffening of spinal joints. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, based on the specific situation.)

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can ankylosing spondylitis be cured?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease, primarily characterized by the involvement of the axial joints. This disease cannot be cured, but its progression can be controlled through medication to delay joint deformity, improve quality of life, and reduce disability rates, which are also the goals of treatment. Middle-aged or young males experiencing stiffness in the neck or pain in the lower back should seek comprehensive examinations, early diagnosis, and treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can people with ankylosing spondylitis have children?

Firstly, ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease and is chronic. This disease cannot be cured; rather, it is managed long-term through medications to alleviate symptoms, control the progression of the condition, and delay the onset of joint deformities, which is the main purpose of treatment. This disease is not hereditary, but there is a clear phenomenon of familial aggregation. For instance, if one or both parents have it, the incidence in their children is over 50%. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis can have children, but there is a very high probability that their children will also suffer from the disease. Additionally, it is advised not to conceive while on medication during the treatment period; one must stop taking the medication for more than three months before considering pregnancy.