Читать книгу Arthritis For Dummies - Barry Fox - Страница 106

No one, single test can detect AS, so diagnosis is usually made from a combination of symptoms and family history, a physical examination, blood tests showing inflammatory markers and/or the HLA-B27 gene, and MRIs or X-rays, which can reveal characteristic joint damage or extra bone in the spine or sacroiliac joints of the pelvis.

Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation and preventing or correcting deformities of the spine to preserve spinal flexibility. NSAIDs are prescribed to ease inflammation, pain and stiffness. But one of the most exciting developments in rheumatology over the last few years is the effectiveness of biologics in treating ankylosing spondylitis, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors such as adalimumab (Humira) and etanercept (Enbrel), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors such as secukinumab (Cosentyx) and ixekizumab (Taltz). These and other biologics have been found to improve mobility and possibly fight the progression of AS (you can read more about them in Chapter 8).

Though AS has no cure, most who have the disease suffer from mild to moderate symptoms and do fairly well. Physical therapy can be very helpful in preserving spinal strength and flexibility. More extreme cases of AS may require surgical replacement of one or more joints, but spinal surgery is rarely indicated as the spines of AS patients are so fragile.