The SAA is committed to raising awareness about ankylosing spondylitis and its complications both within and outside of the medical community. The number of misconceptions and the amount of inaccurate information about AS in the public at large and in the media requires the SAA's continuing efforts to educate and inform.

Below are some valuable resources that you may wish to present to your physician in order to discuss and inform one another. Also, we have two files at the bottom of the page that are downloadable that you can send to, or review with, your doctor. Remember: You and your doctor are a team!

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Myth vs. Truth
(NOTE: This list can be downloaded and printed using the link at the bottom of the page)

Myth: AS is a "male only" disease and does not occur in women or children.

Truth: AS can affect women as well as children. AS can be just as severe in women and children as it is in men.

Myth: You must be HLA-B27 positive to have AS.

Truth: You can be HLA-B27 negative and still have AS. The HLA-B27 test is NOT a diagnostic test for AS. Although a majority of people who have AS are HLA-B27 positive, there are those who test negative for HLA-B27 and still have AS.

Myth: AS progresses the same in every patient and always leads to a fused spine.

Truth: Not all people with AS will become "full blown" or fuse. The complications of AS vary greatly from patient to patient. A proper treatment plan can greatly help the prognosis of those with AS.

Myth: AS is a mild condition and will not affect a person's life much.

Truth: Although the severity of ankylosing spondyitis varies from patient to patient, AS can be very debilitating and can lead to disability.

Myth: Ankylosing spondylitis only affects the spine.

Truth: Peripheral joints can also become involved in AS such as the shoulders, hips, ankles, etc. Other areas can become involved as well including the eyes, heart and lungs.

Myth: There are no new medications for treating AS.

Truth: Although NSAIDs are still the most common medication prescribed when initially treating AS, a new class of biologic medications, the TNF-a inhibitors including Enbrel, Remicade and Humira have shown great promise in treating AS.

Myth: Enbrel is not used in treating AS.

Truth: Enbrel is one of the TNF-a inhibitors (biologic medications) that is FDA approved for AS, along with Remicade and Humira. Enbrel was approved by the FDA for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in 2003, Remicade in December of 2004 and Humira in July 2006.

Continuing Medical Education Courses
Here at Spondylitis.org, we provide free Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses that will provide physicians with the latest information on Ankylosing Spondylitis. These courses can be found in our Physician Resources section.

Also, one of our CMEs is downloadable and can be viewed and then printed by clicking here.

Educational Materials
We would be happy to provide you with educational materials regarding AS and related diseases. You can view our educational materials by clicking here. In addition to our educational materials, and CMEs, if you wish to print other materials to review with, or send to, your doctor, the "Ankylosing Spondylitis: Myth vs. Truth" list, as well as a directoy of our online physician resources can be viewed or downloaded and then printed by clicking on the buttons below.

Have a Question or Other Concern?
We suggest you post any questions you may have on our free message boards. Our boards are full of supportive members that may be able to help you. If you wish, you can email us at info@spondylitis.org or call us toll free at 1-800-777-8189 (U.S. only), or at 1-818-981-1616, with other questions you may have.