Impact of obesity on disease activity and other health outcome measures in ankylosing spondylitis.

Obesity is a rapidly increasing pandemic, with almost one-third of the world population being affected. It has its impact on various systems, of which musculoskeletal system is also majorly affected. Its impact on rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are already known, but its association with ankylosing spondylitis is debatable and very few studies are being conducted to support its impact. The below article is a review of the association and impact of obesity on the disease activity, factors involved in its pathogenesis, impact on others underlying diseases, and therapeutic affections. This article also urges the need for the physicians to treat obesity as a separate disease condition which requires treatment like any other disease to improve the quality of life of individuals and to limit the progress of other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]