Ankylosing Spondylitis

          Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) refers to inflammation of the joints in the spine. AS is also known as rheumatoid spondylitis or Marie-Strumpell disease (among other names). A form of arthritis, AS is characterized by chronic inflammation, causing pain and stiffness of the back, progressing to the chest and neck. Eventually, the whole back may become curved and inflexible if the bones fuse (this is known as “bamboo spine”). AS is a systemic disorder that may involve multiple organs, such as the:

·        *eye (causing an inflammation of the iris, or iritis)

·       * heart (causing aortic valve disease)

·       * lungs

·        *skin (causing a scaly skin condition, or psoriasis)

·        *gastrointestinal tract (causing inflammation within the small intestine, called ileitis, or    inflammation of the large intestine, called colitis)

Less than 1% of the population has AS; however, 20% of AS sufferers have a relative with the disorder.