What is the outlook (prognosis) for people with ankylosing spondylitis?
Although there is no cure for AS, the outlook is quite good. After an initial period of inflammation, in many cases the disease settles down to a low level of activity. Flare-ups of symptoms occur from time to time, but are often mild or moderate. In most cases, regular exercise and medication keep symptoms away, or much reduced. The lower spine tends to become more stiff and less flexible over the years. In some cases, the stiffness is more severe than in others.
About 9 in 10 people with AS have a good quality of life, remain independent, and develop little or no disability as a result of their condition. Most people with AS are able to work full-time for the whole of a normal working life. However, heavy manual work may become difficult. About 1 in 10 people with AS have a severe form of the disease, and may become quite disabled over time.
In most cases, episodes of arthritis outside the spine and/or eye inflammation do not occur, or only occur now and again. In a small number of cases these problems outside the spine recur frequently, or become severe. Uveitis (eye inflammation) may lead to blindness if not treated.
People with established AS have an increased risk of fracturing the spine if they are involved in a high impact accident such as a car crash. (This is because the spine becomes more easy to fracture as it becomes more stiff and rigid.)
Further help and information
The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society
NASS, Unit 0.2, One Victoria Villas, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2GW Tel: 020 8948 9117 Web: www.nass.co.uk Provides information and support. For example, the society has a network of over 100 centres in the UK that provide weekly exercise sessions supervised by a physiotherapist. They also publish and sell an audio cassette and a home-exercise video.
Arthritis Research Campaign ARC
Copeman House, St Marys Court, St Marys Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TD. Tel: 0870 850 5000 Web: www.arc.org.uk
Arthritis Care
18 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD Helpline: 0808 800 4050 Web: www.arthritiscare.org.uk
© EMIS and PiP 2008 Reviewed: 14 Oct 2008
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