Consensus of Chinese Orthopaedic Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis

摘要

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a connective tissue disease that affects mainly the sacroiliac, spinal and peripheral joints and paraspinal soft tissue. It can also cause extra-articular symptoms and signs. Patients with severe AS can have spinal deformity and joint stiffness. According to a preliminary survey, the prevalence rate of AS is about 0.3% in China with about a 2–3:1 male:female ratio. In women, the course of the disease is slower and the manifestations less severe. The age of onset is usually between 13 and 31 years, the peak age of onset being 20 to 30 years. Onset older than 40 or younger than 8 years is rare.