Axial spondyloarthritis

All patients should be advised to keep active and participate in a regular daily stretch and exercise program.

They should use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when they have inflammatory back pain symptoms.

All patients are encouraged to belong to a self-help group where they can meet other patients with AS and receive hydrotherapy if available.

Patients should be encouraged to stop smoking in order to modify their cardiovascular risk but also to reduce the risk of radiographic progression.[128]Villaverde-García V, Cobo-Ibáñez T, Candelas-Rodríguez G, et al. The effect of smoking on clinical and structural damage in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: a systematic literature review. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2017 Apr;46(5):569-83. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27979416?tool=bestpractice.com

All patients with AS should be aware of iritis and its presentations, in order to recognize when urgent assessment is required.

Patients with AS should remember to maintain their posture at all times, especially during sitting and standing.

Patients should be encouraged to invest in a firm mattress, as the majority of patients find a reduction in morning stiffness when they use these mattresses.

There are several useful patient resources. Versus Arthritis: ankylosing spondylitis Opens in new window Spondylitis Association of America Opens in new window National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society Opens in new window Axial Spondyloarthritis International Federation Opens in new window