China News Service, Beijing, May 9 (Reporter Zhang Ni) Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which belongs to rheumatic immune disease.

Due to the high morbidity and recurrence rates of this disease, it is also known as the "immortal cancer".

Statistics show that in my country, the number of patients with this disease is about 5 million, and scientific prevention and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

What is ankylosing spondylitis?

  The first Saturday in May is World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day.

However, many people's awareness of these diseases is still very limited.

What exactly is ankylosing spondylitis?

What serious effects does it have on the body?

  Zeng Xiaofeng, director of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said in an interview with reporters that ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects sacroiliac joints, spinal joints, paraspinal soft tissues and peripheral joints, and can be accompanied by extra-articular manifestations (such as inflammatory bowel disease, acute iritis and psoriasis, etc.), severe spinal deformity and rigidity may occur.

  He introduced that the survey shows that the incidence of ankylosing spondylitis in my country is between 0.2% and 0.32%, and the number of patients is about 5 million. It mainly occurs in young and middle-aged men aged 20-30. Most of the losses occurred within the first 10 years of illness.

Data show that about 80% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis have symptoms of spinal pain and fatigue, and the rate of morning stiffness is as high as 90%.

  "Pain is 'outside' and bone damage is 'inside'. What is really scary is the possible damage to the bone structure caused by ankylosing spondylitis." Zeng Xiaofeng said.

  He emphasized that most of the ankylosis pain appears in the waist and buttocks in the early stage, which leads to the gradual limitation of the movement of the waist, and then extends to the thoracic spine, which affects the patient's normal breathing. , resulting in the inability of the entire head and neck to move, and eventually the healthy and flexible spine will be as stiff as a bamboo.

Data show that if ankylosis patients fail to receive timely treatment or improper treatment, the three-year disability rate is about 45.5%, and the five-year disability rate is as high as 70%.

Which department should I see?

  Zeng Xiaofeng introduced: "Because the early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis are mainly inflammatory low back pain, many patients will go to the orthopedics, pain, rehabilitation, traditional Chinese medicine and other clinical departments for treatment, resulting in a large number of missed diagnosis of the disease, Misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis. Ankylosing spondylitis is essentially a category of rheumatic immune diseases, therefore, rheumatology and immunology department is the correct department.

  In addition, regarding the treatment of ankylosis, it is necessary not only to control the inflammation caused by pain, but also to pay close attention to the progress of bone structure.

"Pathological new bone formation" is the basis for bone fusion ankylosis, and even disability, so inhibition of new bone growth is crucial.

  He said that in the past, clinical treatment of ankylosing spondylitis mainly relied on traditional drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and anti-rheumatic drugs.

In recent years, the advent of biologics has changed the treatment landscape for ankylosing spondylitis.

According to different targets, there are currently two main types of biological agents with therapeutic indications in my country, one is anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors, and the second is a new type of interleukin-17A (IL-17A). inhibitor.

  Zeng Xiaofeng said: "Anti-tumor necrosis factor α mainly targets 'TNF-α', which is characterized by a certain effect on inflammation control and a long clinical use, but there is a lack of relevant data on new bone formation and bone structure changes. Interleukin- 17A inhibitors mainly target the new target of 'IL-17A', which has the advantage of not only controlling inflammation, but also has more data to support the prevention of new bone formation and safety."

The effect of treatment cannot be judged simply by "pain or not"

  Regarding the patient's daily disease management, Zeng Xiaofeng emphasized that ankylosis is an inflammatory progressive disease, and the effect of treatment cannot be judged simply by "pain or not". It is necessary to visit the hospital regularly for follow-up, through X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, CT examinations and other imaging studies Check to see if there is bone progression.

  In addition, for rigid patients, rest or recuperation cannot relieve the pain, but strengthening activities can improve the condition. Appropriate low-intensity exercise, such as walking and yoga, can be maintained to actively enhance the flexibility of the spine, improve pain, and suppress the disease.

  "Finally, I would like to remind you that ankylosing spondylitis is incurable. It is necessary to diagnose and treat early, and don't listen to folk remedies. No matter which treatment method is used, long-term medication and follow-up are necessary! This can maximize the delay of disease progression. , which in turn prevents rigidity from developing into disability, which requires special attention," he said.

(Finish)