CLINICAL PROFILE AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Ankylosing spondylitis belongs to a group of diseases known as Spondyloarthritides characterized by inflammatory low backache. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, mostly associated with HLA B27 positivity affecting skeletal (both axial and extra-axial) and extra skeletal system. In general population Ankylosing spondylitis is likely to develop in about 1% to 2% of HLA-B27+ who have a disease-associated B27 subtype and is much more common among HLA-B27+ first degree relatives of HLA-B27+ AS Patients. Positive family history is a strong risk factor for the development of the disease. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a disease which mostly affects young males and working population. It is a chronic illness with exacerbations and remissions and leads to debility and significant morbidity and hence affects the quality of life significantly. This study has been carried out in Medicine department of Rangaraya medical college GGH Kakinada, Sraddha Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra medical college, KGH, Visakhapatnam, GEMS College and Hospital, Srikakulam with an aim to study the articular and extra articular manifestations of Ankylosing Spondylitis, factors affecting exacerbations and remissions. Correlation between disease activity and acute phase reactants, familial association, and to study the short term treatment outcomes.