Yes, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a progressive disease that often worsens over time, causing inflammation that can lead to stiffness and fusion of spinal vertebrae, but early diagnosis and treatment with medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can significantly slow progression and help manage symptoms. Progression varies greatly, with some people experiencing mild symptoms and others severe disability, but modern treatments often allow for a good quality of life.
The signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis often appear gradually, with peak onset between 20 and 30 years of age. Initial symptoms are usually a chronic dull pain in the lower back or gluteal region combined with stiffness of the lower back.
There's no cure for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but treatment is available to help relieve the symptoms. Treatment can also help delay or prevent the process of the spine joining up (fusing) and stiffening. These treatments can also help if you have non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can flare up for various reasons, including physical inactivity, poor posture, smoking, and not taking anti-inflammatory medications.
Key takeaways
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. A gene may be part of the cause of AS. But an exact cause is unknown. Symptoms of AS include back pain, early morning stiffness, and a stooped posture.
July 18, 2025
A new peer-reviewed study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology suggests that ivarmacitinib, a new medication known as a selective JAK1 inhibitor, may be a promising treatment for people with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
Ankylosing spondylitis is more severe than other forms of arthritis because it primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to significant pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Unlike rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, AS causes chronic inflammation and long-term joint damage.
Seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthropathies such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, noninflammatory spondyloarthropathies such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and ochronotic arthritis resulting from alkaptonuria can affect the axial skeleton and present with symptoms similar those of ...
Illness and death
According to his father, Biden was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2001 after returning from service in Kosovo.
Uveitis is one of the most common complications of ankylosing spondylitis. It can cause sudden eye pain, redness, light sensitivity and blurry vision. See your healthcare professional right away if you develop these symptoms. Compression fractures.
Lifestyle choices also can help manage ankylosing spondylitis.
Neurological complications and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
With modern treatments, AS does not normally affect life expectancy significantly, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems. For example, AS can lead to: weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) spinal fractures.
For long-term treatment, biologics are generally considered safer than prolonged steroid use. While steroids work quickly to reduce inflammation, they can cause serious side effects when used long-term, including: Bone loss and increased fracture risk. Weight gain and swelling.
Based on the available evidence, it becomes clear that the genetic modulation of HLA-B27 holds the potential to treat and possibly cure axSpA.
Some of the key benefits include: Reduction in Symptoms: Biologics can significantly reduce pain and stiffness, improving mobility and quality of life for patients. Slowing Disease Progression: By targeting specific inflammatory pathways, biologics can help slow the progression of spinal fusion and joint damage.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Steps To Prevent It From Getting Worse
The name has recently changed to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) based on the 2009 ASAS classification criteria to better include early disease, theoretically before the occurrence of bony structural damage [2]. Initially it mainly affects the sacroiliac joints (SIJ), and, usually later, the spinal column.
It's estimated 8 in every 100 people in the general population have the HLA-B27 gene variant, but most do not have AS. It's thought having this gene variant may make you more vulnerable to developing AS. The condition may be triggered by 1 or more environmental factors, although it's not known what these are.
SIMPONI® is a TNF blocker injection taken under the skin once a month for adults with active ankylosing spondylitis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Exercises to Avoid
For most people with AS, exercises to avoid include jarring, high-impact activities such as running, jumping, and contact sports or those with high balance requirements, as they increase the risk of falls.
Iritis. Iritis, also known as acute anterior uveitis, is a condition sometimes associated with AS where the front part of the eye becomes red and swollen. It usually only affects 1 eye, rather than both. If you have iritis, your eye may become red, painful and sensitive to light (photophobia).