Ankylosing Spondylitis

Question 1

Early inflammatory stage

Answer 1

The disease begins to entheses, particularly the SIJ
Inflammatory cytokines play a central role in
Inflammation within bone marrow

Question 2

Chronic inflammation stage

Answer 2

Inflammation leads to erosion in cartilage & subcondral bone
Repair mechanisms cause new bone formation

Question 3

Fibrotic & ankylotic stage

Answer 3

Syndesmophyets bridge adjacent vertebrae (fusion of spine)
Spine become rigid (bamboo soloing on x-ray)

Question 4

Advance disease stage

Answer 4

Fixed spinal deformities
Significant limit ions in ROM and respiratory function

Question 5

What is it?

Answer 5

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton, leading to pain, stiffness, and eventual fusion of the spine. It is part of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies, often associated with HLA-B27 genetic predisposition.