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?

Firstly, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease that primarily affects the axial joints, and this disease is incurable. It can only be managed with medications to control the progression of the disease, delay the appearance of joint deformities, and reduce disability. This is the main purpose of its treatment. The cause of the disease is also unclear, and it is somewhat related to genetics. If parents have it, the incidence in their children is significantly increased, and there is a phenomenon of familial aggregation. It cannot be considered a hereditary disease, but there is indeed a phenomenon of familial aggregation. Moreover, the incidence of the disease in children is much higher than in families without a history of the disease.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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How to relieve ankylosing spondylitis

Methods to alleviate ankylosing spondylitis are as follows: First, in terms of lifestyle: during the remission phase of ankylosing spondylitis, it is necessary to persist in long-term functional exercises to keep the spine from adhering and becoming rigid. The second and most important aspect is the long-term use of medication. The medications used to treat ankylosing spondylitis mainly include the following categories: The first category is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly used ones include diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, celecoxib capsules, etc.; the second category includes disease-controlling medications such as sulfasalazine, thalidomide, methotrexate, and even leflunomide. Currently, the most effective medications for treating ankylosing spondylitis are biologics. However, before using biologics, it is essential to strictly rule out diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and tumors. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific conditions.)

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosis Methods

Ankylosing spondylitis is primarily characterized by involvement of the elbow joints, but it can also be accompanied by extra-articular manifestations such as iritis and pain in the heel, and severe cases may present with spinal stiffness and deformity. The cause of the disease is unclear, but studies suggest it is related to genetic and environmental factors, with a significant familial aggregation. Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical symptoms, blood tests including HLA-B27, and imaging such as CT or MRI of the sacroiliac joints to confirm inflammation or damage to these joints. To diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, these three criteria must be met. The most important factor is the presence of clinical symptoms that persist for more than three months, improve with activity, and do not significantly improve with rest. This is a typical characteristic of ankylosing spondylitis.

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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.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
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What to do about ankylosing spondylitis pain?

The medications for treating pain in ankylosing spondylitis fall into three major categories: The first category includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets. The second category consists of disease-controlling drugs, which are often immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine. Third, if patients still experience significant back pain despite using anti-inflammatory analgesics and disease-controlling drugs, biologic agents can be considered. The main biologics currently include tumor necrosis factor antagonists. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)