The prevalence of AS is 0.1–1.4%, and this is dependent on the ethnicity, the prevalence of HLA-B27, the selection of patients for evaluation, and the screening criteria used for diagnosis.
The February 2008 issue of Neurosurgical Focus seeks for a detailed review in the incidence, the pathogenesis, the complications met and the medical and surgical strategies approved for Ankylosing Spondylitis.
These articles are FREE to the public and assemble the most current information.
Neurosurgical Focus is under the copyright ©1990-2008 by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Encephalos 
Hello friends. I am Bhushan Ghate. I am suffering from ankylosing spondylitis since 1989 & i am bedridden since 1996. I had tested positive for HLA-B27. I am anklose from neck to knee. My bone density is very low. I am taking diseases modifying drug. It has reduce my pain very much.I have to undergo both knee & complete hip replacement. But my AS is still in active state & because of low bone density doctor has said no to my replacement surgery. I want to meet people who are suffering from any kind of arthritis or any one who is interested in arthritis. If any one want to mail me my email id is bhushanghate2007@gmail.com. Also any body want to chat with me my email address are buddylovesfriends@yahoo.com or buddylovesfriends@hotmail.com. Thanx
By: Bhushan Ghate on July 7, 2008
at 9:04 am
I was diagnosed over 21 years. I hate that you are bed ridden. For almost 4 years I was unable to dress/undress myself, go to the bathroom myself and unable to do many of the normal everyday things without help. During this time I was being used as a “test” subject and given a wide array of meds to help ease the pain. NOTHING worked.
I went into remission for about 2 years…I still had pain but I could manage it.
Now…I have been working a full time job for the past 12 years. I am excersing (not strenuous) and trying to eat right. I have been taking Humira for almost two years now. It has saved my life. I am still on other meds but this has been a miracle drug for my disease.
The most painful moment of my life even including my worst day with the disease was learning my son (now 21) has the HLAB27 gene and has begun to show symptoms. They say it is worse in men…I do think my going through this will help him…he won’t be sent to 20 doctors trying to figure this out.
My sister also has AS. Her disease came on later in your life…she was 32 when dxg…her pain and symptoms have been fast where mine have been slow. She is taking Remicade. I truly prefer this med BUT my veins wouldn’t hold up to continue the treat ments.
AS has effected my heart, lungs, pelvis area, female organs, eyes, and bowls/kidneys. I have three specialists I see regulary BUT I will do whatever I can to keep this feeling of self worth…I had a few years of depression…even today when I have a lot of pain and stiffness that keeps me from doing something I want to do I get depressed.
This is my first post about my disease. I hate to hear you are bedridden. I hope you have a strong family who understands your problems. My siser’s husband didn’t understand her condition and made her think it was all in her head for a couple of years…she was severly depressed and not sure if what she was feeling was real…until it got so bad she couldn’t walk…then NOBODY can think it is all in your head…
What meds are you taking?
By: Twina on August 25, 2008
at 1:16 pm
The number of Ankylosing spondylitis sufferers ranges between 150,000 and 300,000 in the US. Statistics have shown that more cases where tallied on men, showing that the disease is three times more likely to happen in men than in women. People at any age can develop this disease, most cases were observed between the ages of 15 and 40. While severe cases are observed in older patients, the Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms that are observed in younger people are slightly different. Symptoms in younger patients were observed to begin from feeling pain around the heels, knees and hips rather than pain in the spine.
When your doctor thinks that you are already suffering from Ankylosing spondylitis, he or she will immediately refer you to a rheumatologist. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms and causes are more thoroughly evaluated rheumatologists as they specialize on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that concern joints, muscles and bones. If your eyes are already affected, you may also be referred to an ophthalmologist. As of today, there are no definite treatments for the disease. However, therapy sessions and medications are given to manage the pain and maintain movement and function on affected areas. What a patient can do is learn as much as he can about the disease and talk to people who specializes in arthritis care to design a treatment that might work for his case.
By: Ankylosing Spondylitis on December 23, 2009
at 6:25 pm