Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a subtype of spondyloarthritis (SpA), an autoinflammatory disease. It may present with pain in the back, buttocks, peripheral joints, heel and chest wall. There may also be back stiffness, eye or bowel inflammation, skin rash, and other symptoms. AS/SpA may increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke (1). Early diagnosis and treatment may preserve function and prevent complications.

SpA occurs in 3 to 25 out of 1000 persons in the general population (2, 3). It is a common rheumatic disease in young adults.