Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the spine, producing pain, loss of flexibility and in severe cases vertebral fusions.
It often affects the sacroiliac joints and can produce inflammation of tendons, ligaments and even the eye or intestinal mucosa. It is a common disease, usually occurring in males under 30 years of age.
Causes and symptoms of spondylitis
The cause of spondylitis is unknown, although it has an immunogenetic basis and most often affects people with the HLA-B27 gene. Recent studies also suggest the existence of probable environmental triggers, such as alterations in the microbiome (intestinal bacterial flora).
Spondylitis produces cervical, dorsal or lumbar pain of an inflammatory type (worsens with rest and improves with physical activity), usually associated with gluteal pain due to inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. The onset of symptoms is gradual. It may be associated with associated pathologies such as enthesitis (inflammation of the ligaments), tendonitis, uveitis (inflammation of the eye), psoriasis or inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis).
Treatment of spondylitis
The treatment is based on suppressing inflammation at the systemic level. For this we have non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-TNF-alpha therapies, which have shown excellent results in most patients. However, physiotherapy and maintenance gymnastics at the level of the spine are required on an ongoing basis. The ultimate goal of treatment is to relieve pain and increase mobility, thus achieving a good quality of life.
In those patients without treatment, with much diagnostic delay or in severe cases, the main medium-long term complication is spinal fusion, which causes stiffness and loss of flexibility of the spine. If we add to this persistent pain, patients experience a significant impairment of quality of life that can affect personal and occupational levels.