Ankylosing Spondylitis
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Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a member of a group of rheumatic diseases that affect the spinal column known as "spondyloarthropathies". AS is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease that causes arthritis of the spine and sacroiliac joint - the joint at the base of the spine where the spinal column joins the pelvis. The chronic inflammation and irritation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) can eventually cause the vertebrae to fuse together, a condition known as "ankylosis". Ankylosis is a debilitating condition that eventually can cause loss of spinal mobility and function and, thereby, severely impact a person's quality of life. Because AS is a systemic rheumatic disease, it can lead to inflammation in other parts of the body such as the joints of the hips, knees, or shoulders. AS may also affect other organs such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. |
 Guidebook on Ankylosing Spondylitis |
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