Ankylosing spondylitis
Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: an inflammatory condition affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine.
About the condition
Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: an inflammatory condition affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine.
This is radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. Sacroiliac changes are visible on X-ray; pain severity does not always match structural damage.
Symptoms
Back pain and stiffness worsen at rest and may improve with movement. Enthesitis, arthritis and eye inflammation may occur.
Pain often worsens at night and after rest and improves with movement. Heel pain, restricted rotation and eye inflammation can occur.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis combines symptom history, examination and radiographic sacroiliitis. MRI and HLA-B27 can help but do not establish the diagnosis alone.
Assess pain onset, family history, psoriasis and bowel symptoms. HLA-B27 increases probability but does not establish the diagnosis alone.
Treatment
Regular tailored exercise and anti-inflammatory treatment help maintain mobility. With persistent activity, a clinician considers biologic or targeted therapies.
Daily mobility and posture exercises accompany medication. Persistent activity may warrant TNF, IL-17 or JAK inhibition depending on comorbidities.
Monitoring
ASDAS/BASDAI, function and treatment tolerance are followed. Eye pain, redness, light sensitivity or worsening vision require urgent assessment.
ASDAS/BASDAI assess activity and BASFI function. A painful red eye with light sensitivity needs urgent eye assessment.
Sources
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