Axial Spondylarthritis (AS) Day: Raising Awareness for AS

Living with Axial Spondylarthritis

Axial spondylarthritis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that primarily affects the spine, pelvis and chest. Symptoms like chronic back pain and stiffness often begin at a young age and worsen over time, severely affecting quality of life. Unlike most cases of back pain, stiffness in people with AxSpA tends to improve with movement and worsens with rest. Simple daily tasks, like getting out of bed in the morning or tying a pair of shoelaces, can become a real challenge.

Beyond the physical toll, AxSpA can take a significant mental health toll. Coping with a lifelong, progressive disease often evokes feelings of frustration, isolation and anxiety, especially when symptoms are invisible. Without proper treatment and support, AS can interfere with work, relationships and everyday well-being.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis

Because the early signs of AxSpA, like back pain and stiffness, can be mistaken for common injuries, the disease often goes unrecognized. On average, it can take up to 10 years for individuals to receive an accurate diagnosis.

But early diagnosis makes a real difference. Once detected, early intervention can open the door to treatments that may slow disease progression, relieve pain and help preserve mobility and independence. Delaying diagnosis can allow irreversible joint damage and spinal fusion. Increasing understanding among healthcare providers and the public is essential to ensure that symptoms are taken seriously, and individuals can access the specialized care they need.

The Value of Pursing Remission

World AS Day provides an opportunity to underscore the value of pursuing remission for AxSpA patients. People who achieve remission for inflammatory conditions like AxSpA can experience a transformation in the quality of everyday life, with less pain, diminished fatigue and a return to regular activities.

Additional advocacy efforts are focused on building greater visibility for the disease, advancing research for better treatments and empowering patients to seek timely, effective care. By working together, advocates can drive change and help shorten the diagnostic journey and improve access to transformative therapies.

The Global Alliance for Patient Access offers tools, resources and educational materials to help raise visibility for axial spondylarthritis around the world. Read “The Value of Pursuing Remission in Inflammatory Rheumatic Conditions” for more information.