Spondylitis Association of America
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Fast Facts About Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • AS (ankylosing spondylitis) is arthritis of the spine that strikes young people. The typical age of onset is between 17 and 35.


  • There are at least half a million people with AS in the United States but likely more because the disease is under-recognized. AS is more prevalent than multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and Lou Gehrig's Disease combined.


  • Difficult to diagnose in the early stages, it is the most overlooked cause of persistent back pain in young adults.


  • AS can also damage other joints such as the hips and shoulders, as well as other areas of the body including the eyes, heart and lungs.


  • AS causes pain and spinal stiffness, and, in severe cases, the spine fuses solidly in a forward-stooped posture.


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