Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Epidemiology

  • 1:2000
  • men (present earlier)6:1 at 16 years old, 2:1 at 30
  • >95% +ve for HLA B27
  • thought to follow certain infection i.e. Klebsiella

Pathology

  • inflammation begins where spinal ligaments attached to vertebral bone

History

  • late teenage, early 20s
  • pain
    • sacroiliac pain
      • one or both buttocks
      • low back pain
    • morning stiffness
    • arthritis
      • assymetrical peripheral large joint
  • progressive loss spinal movements
  • development of kyphosis
  • neck hyperextension
  • spino-cranial ankylosis
  • non-spinal complications
  • Occasional unstable fractures after minor trauma

Examination

  • thoracic excursion decreased
  • chest pain
  • hip / knee involvement
  • periosteitis of calcaneum / ischial tuberosities
  • plantar fasciitis
  • amyloidosis
  • carditis
  • iritis
  • lung fibrosis
    • concentrated at apices

Investigation

  • X-rays
    • bamboo spine
    • squaring of vertebra
    • erosion of apophyseal joints
    • obliteration of sacro-iliac joints
  • FBC
    • normochromic anaemia
  • ESR
    • raised

Differential

Treatment

Mortality

  • 1.5x expected
 

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