What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease and form of arthritis that involves the spine. AS causes ongoing inflammation of soft tissues around the spinal bones (vertebrae). Over time, the process of spinal inflammation may lead to fusion of part of the spine and sometimes the pelvis, which can cause loss of movement of the spine.

Symptoms and signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Early signs and symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis might include pain and stiffness in your lower back and hips, especially when you get up in the morning or if you have been inactive for some time. Neck pain and fatigue (feeling tired) are also common. Inflammation can also affect other parts of your body for example, your eyes. Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms can range in severity from mild to severe, and they can vary from person to person. It’s important to recognise the symptoms and to get a proper diagnosis and treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Symptoms can include:

Gradual progression of lower back pain before age 40
Pain at night, which improves when you get up in the morning
Pain and stiffness that get worse with inactivity and better with physical activity
Back pain lasting longer than 3 months.

What causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The exact cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis is unknown, but genetic factors seem to be involved. There is a gene called HLA-B27 and people who have this gene have an increased risk of developing the condition. Other risk factors include:

Gender. Men are more likely to develop Ankylosing Spondylitis than women
Age. Ankylosing Spondylitis usually between the ages of 15 and 35. It is rare for people older than 40 to develop it
Genetics. Most people who have Ankylosing Spondylitis have the HLA-B27 gene, but many people with this gene don’t develop Ankylosing Spondylitis.

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Important information about HUMIRA. HUMIRA is a prescription medicine containing adalimumab. HUMIRA is available as a single use pre-filled syringe or single-use pre-filled pen and may contain 20mg, 40mg or 80mg adalimumab. It is used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, non-infectious uveitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. HUMIRA is only used in patients of a specific age group, in diseases of certain severity (e.g. moderate to severe), and/or after some other treatments have been tried (e.g. conventional therapy).

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