What to check for ankylosing spondylitis?

Written by Yang Ya Meng

Rheumatology

Updated on October 22, 2024

00:00

00:00

The examination for ankylosing spondylitis mainly includes blood tests. The main components of the blood tests are erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), ANA along with CCP antibodies, and AKA antibodies, and of course, the most crucial test related to the gene - HLA-B27. Imaging exams can include the following: First, an X-ray of the pelvis, or an MRI of the sacroiliac joints. If the disease has been present for a longer time, a CT of the sacroiliac joints can be chosen. If the patient has elevated ESR and CRP, a positive B27, and lesions in the sacroiliac joints, then the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis can be confirmed.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Li Jing

Rheumatology

1min

home-news-image

Is ankylosing spondylitis hereditary?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic autoimmune disease of unclear etiology characterized by chronic inflammation primarily affecting the axial joints, mainly involving the sacroiliac joint. The cause is unclear, and research by experts has shown that the disease tends to run in families, indicating familial clustering. It is not classified as a genetic disease, but there is both familial clustering and a genetic predisposition, meaning that if parents have the disease, their children are much more likely to develop it compared to others. Therefore, if symptoms such as lower back pain or neck stiffness occur, it is advisable to undergo thorough examinations and seek early diagnosis and treatment to delay joint deformity and control the progression of the disease.

home-news-image

Written by Sun Shu Jian

Orthopedics

47sec

home-news-image

Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The initial symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis mainly manifest as morning stiffness in the back. Then, there appears to be pain in the back and hip joints. The pain is generally more noticeable at night, and patients often wake up at night due to back pain. Pain can be significantly relieved after light activity. Early ankylosing spondylitis generally does not have characteristic clinical manifestations. A definitive diagnosis requires physical examinations, imaging studies, and blood tests. After confirming the diagnosis, timely and standard treatment is needed. Treatment can control the inflammation and pain of the synovium, prevent the further development of the disease, and prevent deformities of the spine and joints.

home-news-image

Written by Yang Ya Meng

Rheumatology

1min 2sec

home-news-image

Is ankylosing spondylitis serious?

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.)

home-news-image

Written by Yang Ya Meng

Rheumatology

49sec

home-news-image

How to control ankylosing spondylitis

The treatment of ankylosing spondylitis mainly consists of three parts: The first part is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets; the second is the choice of disease control medications, which may include sulfasalazine or methotrexate tablets, especially for patients with peripheral joint pain, immunosuppressive drugs can be chosen. The most effective for ankylosing spondylitis are biologics, but before using biologics, it is necessary to exclude hepatitis, tuberculosis, and cancerous diseases, and the cost of biologics is relatively high. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

home-news-image

Written by Li Jing

Rheumatology

32sec

home-news-image

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.