Quick Facts About Spondylitis

The AS Life Impact Survey conducted by the Spondylitis Association of America in 2011 uncovered several key findings on the impact of spondylitis.

• AS is difficult to diagnose, often taking up to 10 years from the time a patient first experiences symptoms to the time the patient receives proper diagnosis.
• Six out of ten (61%) reported that they began experiencing symptoms by age 29.
• More than half (54%) were not diagnosed with AS until at least five years after their symptoms first appeared; three out of ten (30%) endured symptoms for more than ten years before they were diagnosed.
• Six out of ten (62%) were diagnosed by age 39.
• One in four (24%) saw five or more health professionals in pursuit of a diagnosis.
• Six out of ten (62%) were diagnosed by a rheumatologist.

AS Causes Permanent Physical Damage

• Two out of three (66%) said AS has forced them into a forward-stooped posture to at least some degree.
• More than half (55%) said their spine had fused (become rigid) at least partially.

AS is a Painful Disease

• Seven out of ten (71%) of those surveyed said that back pain or stiffness was one of the symptoms that first caused them to seek treatment.
• Three out of ten (29%) said that when their AS pain was at its worst, they were incapacitated and could not move.
• Half (51%) said at some point their breathing has been painful or difficult as a result of AS.

AS Causes People to Change Jobs or Stop Working

• More than four in ten (44%) said they have had to avoid certain careers or jobs because of AS.
• One in four (25%) said they have had to change their career or job because of AS.
• One out of six (17%) with AS under age 65 described themselves as "not working." Of those, more than six out of ten said AS is the reason they are not working.
• One out of eleven (9%) was not working at all because of AS.

AS Greatly Affects Patients' Daily Lives

• Six out of ten (or more) said having AS is at least somewhat limiting with regard to getting into a car (70%), walking (64%) and having a satisfying sex life (58%).
• Eight out of ten (82%) said having AS is at least somewhat limiting with regard to getting a good night's sleep.

Patients Try a Variety of Treatments to Help Them Cope with AS

• More than eight out of ten (83%) had taken prescription medication in the prior year to manage their AS.
• Almost half (48%) had taken over-the-counter medication in the prior year to manage their AS.
• Six out of ten (62%) had done yoga, swimming, walking or other sports in the prior year to manage their AS.
• Six out of ten (59%) said a rheumatologist is the type of physician primarily in charge of treating their AS.