Search

Summary points: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints, spine, and entheses It has a strong genetic predisposition associated with human leukocyte antigen B27 Early diagnosis can be difficult but is important; magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joints can be helpful in early disease Traditional treatment begins with physiotherapy, regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local corticosteroid injections, and sometimes sulphasalazine The advent of drugs diat inhibit the activity of tumour necrosis factor a has revolutionised management Patients presenting with features of inflammatory back pain should be referred to a rheumatologist at an early stage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]