Recognize Ankylosing Spondylitis Early

In order to raise public awareness, the first Saturday of May is accepted as the World Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Day every year. "Identify ankylosing spondylitis early, don't succumb to pain!" A new awareness campaign was launched with the slogan.

During the awareness event held during the Trabzonspor - Antalyaspor match played on Saturday, May 8, footballers drew attention to AS disease by leaning on a bellows close to the ground rather than running as usual. The announcer of the match is; “Dear football fans, as you can see today, both teams take the field with a little difficulty. The reason is to draw attention to the inflammatory rheumatism, Ankylosing Spondylitis, which causes limitation of movement in the spine.1 If you have lower back pain for more than 3 months; While your pain increases with rest, it decreases with movement, and if you have stiffness for more than 30 minutes in the morning, definitely consult your doctor.1,2 Identify ankylosing spondylitis early, do not succumb to pain! " emphasized the importance of early diagnosis in the disease with his announcement.

Making statements about the campaign, President of the Turkish Rheumatology Association Prof. Dr. Fatoş Önen; “Early diagnosis is of great importance in AS disease seen in one out of every 200 people in our country. We are extremely happy that the campaign, which aims to inform the public in the right way and to make the disease heard by the masses, has succeeded in this sense. " said.

Back pain that lasts longer than 3 months may be AS disease

Providing information about the disease, Prof. Dr. Fatoş Önen; “AS is an inflammatory disease that affects many systems in the body. Nowadays, inflammatory back pain is often confused with mechanical low back pain. There are important differences that distinguish inflammatory low back pain from mechanical low back pain. Inflammatory back pain mainly begins in people under the age of 40, the pain lasts longer than three months and does not pass with rest. It is also among the symptoms of inflammatory low back pain that low back pain wakes the patients especially from the second half of the night and causes stiffness for more than 30 minutes in the morning. " he spoke.

AS is 2-3 times more common in men than in women

Prof. Dr. Fatoş Önen also; “Although the cause of AS is still unknown, there is a strong genetic link. AS affects about 0,5% of the adult population and although it can be seen at any age, it mostly occurs at a young age. The disease is 2-3 times more common in men than in women. " said.

Early diagnosis is of great importance in the management of AS disease.

Stating that AS causes pain and stiffness in the back of the waist, back, neck and hips as a result of inflammation, Prof. Dr. Fatoş Önen “In the future, sometimes humpback and permanent limitation of movement in the spine may develop. In ankylosing spondylitis, pain and swelling may occur in the chest, mostly in large joints such as the knee and ankle, and in the bone areas such as the heel where muscle tendons and ligaments adhere. In addition, redness and pain in the eye (uveitis), psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease may accompany AS. " he spoke. Prof. Dr. Fatoş Önen; "With early diagnosis, exercise and appropriate intervention, it is possible for patients to lead a healthier and higher quality life." he continued his explanations.