Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms are varied and typically progress over time, which make it difficult to diagnose. Or, the effects may come on suddenly and not let up.
The telltale feature of ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritis of the spine, is the inflammation of the sacroiliac joints at the base of the spine, where it joins the pelvis.
In men, who are three times more likely to get this arthritis of the spine than women, the ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include lower back pain and stiffness centered around the spine due to chronic inflammation. Juveniles often notice joint pain, such as in the hip, ankle, elbow, knee , shoulder or heel. Women report that their ankylosing spondylitis symptoms usually begin in the neck.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Progression
In the early stages of arthritis of the spine, it’s common to feel pain only on one side, or on alternating sides. The pain and stiffness is generally worse in the morning, but improves as the day goes on. A warm shower or exercise can make the affected area feel better. It’s also possible to experience mild fever, loss of appetite and general discomfort.
Pain usually increases slowly, and is difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes the disease flares for a period of weeks or months, and then the pain and stiffness decrease for a while. Mild to moderate anemia can lead to a feeling of tiredness.
Rarely, inflammation can affect organs, such as a thickening of the major artery in the heart, or scarring of the lungs. The pigmented portion of the eye can also become inflamed, leading to visual impairment and glaucoma. Lifting of the nails (onycholysis) may also occur.
The severity of ankylosing spondylitis symptoms depends greatly on the age it began, how early it was diagnosed and what portions of the body become involved.
Ankylosing spondylitis causes permanent damage to the spine. In severe cases, the joints of the spine fuse (ankylose), gradually reducing back pain but making the spine stiff and more likely to break. Sometimes, the process of fusion causes the upper spine to tilt forward (kyphosis).
Who is at Risk for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Most people are between the ages of 17 and 35 when they are diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Children and older people can also get the disease, however.
About 90 percent of those diagnosed with the disease test positive for the HLA-B27 gene variant, a protein. However, this varies by ethnic background. For people of Mediterranean decent, the number is approximately 80 percent, and it goes down to 50 percent in African Americans.
It’s important to note that seven percent of the U.S. population has the HLA-B27 gene, but only one percent has ankylosing spondylitis.
A study in 2007 found what had long been suspected: other genes are also involved. Researchers discovered AFTS1 and IL23R, which, together with HLA-B27, are found in about 70 percent of the overall cases of the disease.
A family history of the disease and frequent gastrointestinal problems also increase the likelihood of getting arthritis of the spine.
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