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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| Ankylosing spondylitis typically presents in a young patient with chronic pain and stiffness in the lower part of the spine. In 40% of the 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 include recurring [[mouth ulcers]] (aphthae) and [[Fatigue (physical)|fatigue]].
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| ==History== | | ==History== |
| The typical patient is young, of 15 to 30 years of age with [[chronic (medicine)|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.<ref>http://www.spondylitis.org/patient_resources/women.aspx</ref> 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 (physical)|fatigue]]. Pain fluctuation from one side to the other.
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| Typical [[prodrome]]s (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.
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| ==Common Synmptoms==
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| *Chronic [[pain]] and [[stiffness]] in lower back and hips, especially in the morning and after periods of inactivity. As disease progresses, symptoms get worse and one may feel [[pain]] and [[stiffness]] over time.
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| *[[Joint pain]]
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| *[[Joint swelling]]
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| *Stiff, inflexible spine
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| *Eye inflammation or [[uveitis]]
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| *Restricted expansion of your chest
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| *Low [[fever]]
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| *[[Fatigue]]
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| *[[Loss of appetite]]
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| *[[Weight loss]]
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| The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index ([[BASDAI]]), developed in Bath (Somerset,UK) is an index designed to detect the inflammatory burden of active disease. The BASDA can help to establish a diagnosis of AS in the presence of other factors such as HLA-B27 positivity, persistent buttock pain which resolves with exercise, and X-ray or MRI evident involvement of the sacroiliac joints. <ref>{{cite journal | author = Garrett S, Jenkinson T, Kennedy L, Whitelock H, Gaisford P, Calin A | title = A new approach to defining disease status in ankylosing spondylitis: the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. | journal = J Rheumatol | volume = 21 | issue = 12 | pages = 2286-91 | year = 1994 | id = PMID 7699630}}</ref> It can be easily calculated and accurately assesses a patient's need for additional therapy; a score of 4 out of a possible 10 points while on adequate NSAID therapy is usually considered a good candidate for biologic therapy.
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| The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) is a functional index which can accurately assess a patient's functional impairment due to the disease, as well as improvements following therapy.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Calin A, Garrett S, Whitelock H, Kennedy L, O'Hea J, Mallorie P, Jenkinson T | title = A new approach to defining functional ability in ankylosing spondylitis: the development of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index. | journal = J Rheumatol | volume = 21 | issue = 12 | pages = 2281-5 | year = 1994 | id = PMID 7699629}}</ref> The BASFI is not usually used as a diagnostic tool, but as a tool to establish a patient's current baseline and subsequent response to therapy.
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{reflist|2}} | | {{reflist|2}} |