What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and pelvic region. Its symptoms vary, and mainly include the following aspects:

1. Persistent back pain and stiffness: This is the most common symptom, typically beginning in late adolescence or around the age of 20. The pain often worsens at night, especially upon waking in the morning, and can be relieved with activity.

2. Fatigue: Patients frequently experience unusual tiredness and reduced energy levels, which may be related to the disease itself or the accompanying inflammatory response.

3. Joint swelling and pain: In addition to the spine, ankylosing spondylitis may also affect other joints, such as the hip and knee joints, causing swelling and pain in these areas.

4. Restricted mobility: As the disease progresses, patients may experience reduced spinal mobility, leading to limitations in forward bending, backward extension, lateral bending, and rotation. In advanced stages, the physiological curvature of the lumbar spine may disappear, resulting in a flattened appearance.

5. Systemic symptoms: Patients may also exhibit systemic symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, and mild anemia.