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Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

What is Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an umbrella term for non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and radiographic axSpA, also known as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). nr-axSpA and AS are closely related rheumatic conditions, both forms of inflammatory arthritis.

Inflammation is a normal part of the immune system, where blood flow is increased and specialised cells are sent to specific areas. While inflammation is usually an important part of the body’s defense against infection, it can become over-active, leading to conditions such as axSpA.

axSpA causes several parts of the lower spine to become inflamed, including the bones in the spine (vertebrae), spinal joints (sacroiliac joints) and other areas of the body. Over time, this can damage the spine and lead to the growth of new bone, which in some cases can cause parts of the spine to join up (fuse) and lose flexibility. This is known as ankylosis.

For people with AS, changes to the sacroiliac joints or spine can be seen on x-ray scans. However, for people with nr-axSpA these changes are not visible on x-ray, but inflammation may be visible on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

axSpA/AS symptoms

axSpA symptoms can vary from person to person and usually develop over several months or years. axSpA can develop at any time but usually begins to develop in teenagers and young adults. The symptoms can come and go and may even change over time.

Almost all cases of axial spondyloarthritis are characterised by acute, painful episodes (flares), which are followed by periods when symptoms improve (remission).

The main symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis/AS are:

Back pain and stiffness in the lower spine

Back pain and stiffness (inflammatory back pain) are usually the main symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis. The pain and stiffness, usually worse in the morning and at night, will normally improve with exercise and are not relieved by rest.

Other joint pain

axSpA can cause inflammation in other joints, most common are the hips, knees, ankles and shoulders. Affected joints can become painful, stiff and swollen.

Uveitis

Signs of uveitis are painful, watery or red eyes, blurred vision and sensitivity to bright light.

Enthesitis

A painful inflammation where bones attach to ligaments or tendons. Common sites include the top of the shin bone, behind or under the heel and where the ribs join the breastbone. If your ribs are affected, you may experience chest pain and find it hard to breathe deeply.

Other axSpA/AS symptoms

Some people with axial spondyloarthritis can experience a range of more general symptoms, like:

Feeling better after exercise and worse after rest
Tiredness and a lack of energy (fatigue)
A high temperature (fever)
Sweating
Depression
Weight loss, especially in the early stages
Dactylitis (swollen fingers and toes)

What causes axSpA/AS?

It's not yet known what causes axSpA/AS, but there seems to be a link with a particular gene known as human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27).

Research has shown more than 9 out of 10 people with axSpA/AS carry the HLA-B27 gene. However, having the gene doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop axSpA.

axSpA/AS may be triggered by one or more environmental factors, although it’s not known what these are.

Can axSpA/AS be inherited?

AS can run in families and the HLA-B27 gene can be passed on (inherited) from another family member. People with the HLA-B27 gene with a close family member with the disease, such as a parent or a sibling (brother or sister), are much more likely to develop the condition compared to someone who does not have a relative with the condition.

If you have AS and the HLA-B27 gene, there is a 50% chance that you may pass on the gene to any children you have, but this does not mean that they will necessarily develop AS. On average the child of someone with AS has only a 7% chance of developing the condition. If the child has inherited the HLA-B27 gene this risk doubles to about 13%.

Axial Spondyloarthritis Podcasts

Listen to rheumatology experts answer questions that are commonly asked by patients who have been diagnosed with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have any concerns about your health or medicine, you should consult your healthcare specialist or general practitioner.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the patient information leaflet. You can also report side effects directly in the UK via the Yellow Card Scheme website: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or via the the MHRA Yellow Card App in the Google Play or Apple App Store. In Ireland please report via the HPRA at https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/about-us/report-an-issue.

You can also report adverse events to UCB at UCBCares.UK@ucb.com or UCBCares.IE@ucb.com.

Images used are not of real patients. _{IE-DA-2300074. September 2023}

Suggestions

Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

What is Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis?

axSpA/AS symptoms

The main symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis/AS are:

Back pain and stiffness in the lower spine

Other joint pain

Uveitis

Enthesitis

Other axSpA/AS symptoms

What causes axSpA/AS?

Can axSpA/AS be inherited?

Axial Spondyloarthritis Podcasts

Axial Spondyloarthritis Podcasts

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