• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Ankylosing spondylitis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Ankylosing spondylitis is a long-term disease that causes inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones and the joints between the spine and the pelvis. It eventually causes the affected spinal bones to join together.

See also: Arthritis

Alternative Names:

Rheumatoid spondylitis; Spondylitis; Spondylarthropathy

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, but gene problems seem to play a role.

The disease starts with intermittent hip or lower-back pain that is worse at night, in the morning, or after inactivity. Back pain begins in the sacroiliac joints (between the pelvis and the spine) and may later include the lower spine and the upper spine.

Pain may be eased by assuming a bent posture. Limited expansion of the chest occurs because of the involvement of the joints between the ribs. The symptoms may worsen, go into remission, or stop at any stage.

The disease most frequently begins between age 20 and 40, but may begin before age 10. It affects more males than females. Risk factors include a family history of ankylosing spondylitis and male gender. About 0.21% of Americans over age 15 are affected.

• Review Date: 4/27/2007
• Reviewed By: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.