Ankylosing Spondylitis
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune system attacks the joints in the back. This typically starts in the sacroiliac joints, and can progress to involve the lumbar, then thoracic, then cervical spine. If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage and fusion of the spine, which can result in pain and loss of range of motion.
RheumInfo: Ankylosing Spondylitis
https://rheuminfo.com/en/diseases/ankylosing-spondylitis/
Arthritis Society: Ankylosing Spondylitis
https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/arthritis-types-(a-z)/types/ankylosing-spondylitis
How is ankylosing spondylitis treated?
The first line treatment for ankylosing spondylitis consists of physiotherapy focusing on core strengthening and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). This includes medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen or celecoxib.
RheumInfo: NSAIDs
Exercise in ankylosing spondylitis
Exercises for lower back pain from Drs. Peter Attia, Andrew Huberman and Stuar McGill
What other treatment options are available?
If people continue to have symptoms despite physiotherapy and NSAIDs, there are biologics to treat ankylosing spondylitis. Biologics are medications that target a specific part of the immune system that causes ankylosing spondylitis. These medications are expensive (over $1,000 per month), but are covered by BC Pharmacare for patients who meet criteria. In order to meet criteria, people must have a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and continue to have active disease despite two different NSAIDs for at least two weeks each.
Below are the biologic options covered for ankylosing spondylitis by BC Pharmacare.
RheumInfo: Adalimumab
RheumInfo: Certolizumab
RheumInfo: Infliximab
RheumInfo: Golimumab
RheumInfo: Etanercept
RheumInfo: Secukinumab
RheumInfo: Tofacitinib
RheumInfo: Bimekizumab
nanaimorheumatology.com 