Galen was the first to distinguish the difference between<unk>  (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Realdo Colombo has first described<unk> . Bernard Connor was first to describe pathological changes occurring in<unk> . Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) may be classified according to Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) into<unk>  (AS) and non-radiographicaxSpA (nr-axSpA). AS has been regarded as the prototype of spondyloarthritis.<unk>  (AS) is a chronic, multisystem inflammatory disorder involving primarily the sacroiliac (SI) joints and the axial skeleton. The outcome in patients with a spondyloarthropathy, including AS, is generally compared with that in patients with a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Mostly the joints where the spine joins the pelvis are also affected. Back pain is one of the most prominent symptoms of the<unk>  (AS) which is intermittent in nature. Stiffness in the affected joints gets worse as the disease progresses. It is believed that both the combination of genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of<unk> (AS) and the underlying etiology is believed to be autoimmune or autoinflammatory.<unk>  is an inflammatory disease that in overtime it causes some of the vertebrae in spine to fuse. Because of the fusion the spine less flexible and the patients present with hunched-forward posture. It can be difficult to breathe deeply when the ribs are involved. The most common cause of<unk>  is involvement of gene HLA B27.<unk>  must be differentiated from other diseases causing reactive arthritis,rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or<unk>  in a population depends upon the following 1)Ethnic groups 2) Selection of subjects for evaluation and 3) The criteria for diagnosis.It shows a clear evidence that correlation between the prevalence of<unk>  (AS)/axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in a given population and the prevalence of human leukocyte antigen HLA-B27 exits. There is no known cause specific cause for<unk> , though genetic factors seems to play very important role in developing the disease. In particular, people who are positive for HLA-B27 are at more risk of developing<unk><unk><unk>  is a form of chronic joint inflammation that mostly affects the spine. Gradually it can cause the bones of the spine to fuse together, a process which is called ankylosis.<unk>  symptoms can range from back pain and stiffness and in long term it can lead to disability.<unk>  is usually remarkable for involvement of axial joints, peripheral joints, and entheses. Physical examination of AS includes a typical diagnostic process that includes exams and tests. The physical examination of AS includes cervical spine, thoracic spine, lateral spinal flexion, Schober test, sacroiliac joint tenderness test and hip joint tests. An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of<unk>  (AS). Findings on an x-ray suggestive of<unk>  (AS) include erosion and ankylosis of the sacroiliac joints. Findings on CT scan suggestive of<unk>  include erosion, osteoporosis / sclerosis, and new bone formation. However,CT has poor ability to detect soft-tissue changes and best in detecting osteoporosis or osteosclerosis. Findings on MRI suggestive of<unk> include sacroiliitis, disease activity,cartilage condition and enthesitis. MRI allows assessment of all of the structures that are involved in musculoskeletal diseases. Pharmacologic medical therapies for<unk> (AS) include Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker, and interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitors.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Oligoarthritis
Osteoarthritis
Spondyloarthropathy
Enteropathic arthropathy
Spondylolysis
Amyloid arthropathy
Rheumatoid arthritis