Ankolysing Spondylitits

Question 1

What HLA is particularly associated with ankolysing spondylitis?

Answer 1

HLA B27

Question 2

What are the treatments for AS?

Answer 2

NSAIDs, steroids, Anti TNF

Question 3

What are all the A’s of AS?

Answer 3

Axial Arthritis
Anterior Uveitis
Aortic Regurgitation
Apical fibrosis
Amyloidosis/ Ig A Nephropathy
Achilles tendinitis

Question 4

Where does the inflammation start in AS?

Answer 4

Inflammation starts in lumbar vertebral and sacroiliac joints and then extends proximally.
Starts in the intervertebral and entheses.

Question 5

What is enthesiopathy?

Answer 5

Inflammation of the bone to ligament. This is the hallmark of spondyloarthropic pathology.

Question 6

What are syndesmophytes?

Answer 6

Growth of bony spurs in the annulus fibrosis

Question 7

What do you see in the x ray appearance of the vertebral bodies?

Answer 7

Squaring of the vertebral bodies, giving rise to a bamboo spine

Question 8

What are the symptoms of AS?

Answer 8

Inflammatory lower back pain; A diffuse pain across the back, pelvis and joints of the lower limbs
Morning pain and stiffness
Progressive loss of movement of the spine
Entheitis
Peripheral arthritis (shoulders, hips)

Kyphosis with hyperflexion of the neck
Loss of normal lumbar lordosis
Limited spinal flexion
Progressive fixed flexion deformity of the hips

Anterior uveitis
Aortitis
Pulmonary involvement
Mucosal inflammation
Neurological symptoms

Question 9

What are the most common infecting agents in reactive arthritis?

Answer 9

Chlamydia, salmonella, shigella and yersina

Question 10

What is the treatment for AS

Answer 10

NSAIDs
Corticosteroids
Anti TNF treatment