About Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a disease that causes pain and
inflammation of the joints
of the spine. AS affects the joints between the vertebrae and
also the sacroiliac joints (the area where your spine meets
your pelvis). In many people, joints of the arms and legs can also be affected. If left untreated,
it eventually can cause the affected spinal bones to fuse together. Early diagnosis and treatment
helps manage symptoms and may help to limit damage to the spine and damage to other joints.
Joints Affected by AS
Ankylosing spondylitis can affect the joints between the vertebrae, the
sacroiliac joints (the area where your spine meets your pelvis), knees, hips, ankles, and joints of the hands and feet.
What causes AS?
The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, but AS is thought to be a disease of the immune system.
The immune system protects the body from infections and diseases. It is
believed that increased levels of an active form of a protein in the immune
system called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) play a role in the inflammation
associated with AS.
Genetic factors seem to contribute to the development of ankylosing
spondylitis. People who have a gene called HLA-B27 are at an increased risk of
developing the condition. Additionally, certain infections may also be
related.
Symptoms of AS
Typical symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include lower back pain and stiffness. These
symptoms may improve after movement, exercise, or a hot shower. Other symptoms include pain and swelling in neck, hips, knees, or ankles;
difficulty expanding the chest; and fatigue. Other parts of the body can also be affected.
Ankylosing spondylitis can get worse over time. Getting help from a doctor as soon as possible is
important. The natural progression of AS involves stiffening of the spine over
time, with fusion of all or some of the spinal joints occurring after some
years of disease in about two thirds of patients.
Treating AS
There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but many treatments can help. Many people start with
over-the-counter drugs and prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatory
drugs. Your doctor may also prescribe an individualized exercise program. These
treatments can help manage symptoms of AS, like pain.
Your doctor may also try other medications that work on the immune system to
treat inflammation and manage symptoms. The biologic medicine ENBREL can help manage symptoms associated with AS. Read about results with ENBREL.
ENBREL is a prescription medicine that is self-injected. Because ENBREL works on your immune system, it may lower your ability to fight
infections and may raise other safety concerns.
If you have any sign of an infection including a fever, cough, flu-like
symptoms, or have any open sores on your body, call your doctor.
Please see Full Prescribing Information, Important Safety Information, and Medication Guide for complete details about ENBREL.