title: Ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause belonging to the group of spondyloarthritides associated with HLA B27. This disease affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, but may also concern peripheral joints and different organs. Symptoms include morning stiffness and dull low back pain, both improving by exercise. AS causes reduction in life expectancy due to subsequent manifestation in different organs, so early diagnosis and treatment are of great importance.
authors.affiliation: 5th Department of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology and Rheumatology), Wilhelminen-Hospital, Vienna, Austria. jeanette.wolf@wienkav.at
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fasching
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D015444:Exercise; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D058566:Sacroiliitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001688:Biological Products; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor