Ankylosing spondylitis
Overview
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.
Symptoms
The symptoms of AS can vary, but usually involve: back pain and stiffnesspain and swelling in other parts of the body – caused by inflammation of the joints (arthritis) and inflammation where a tendon joins a bone (enthesitis)extreme tiredness (fatigue) These symptoms tend to develop gradually, usually over several months or years, and may come and go over time. In some people the condition gets better with time, but for others it can get slowly worse. Read aboutsymptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
Causes
It's not known what causes the condition, but there's thought to be a link with a particular gene variant known as HLA-B27. Read about thecauses of ankylosing spondylitis.
When to see a doctor
You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of AS. If your GP thinks you may have the condition, they should refer you to a specialist in conditions affecting muscles and joints (rheumatologist) for further tests and any necessary treatment. Further tests may include blood tests and imaging tests. Read aboutdiagnosing ankylosing spondylitis.