Diagnostic Criteria for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Disease description:
I have been experiencing significant lower back pain. After visiting the hospital for evaluation, my doctor diagnosed me with ankylosing spondylitis. What are the diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lin Yunfei
The diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylitis are typically assessed using the “four-word test,” which evaluates whether the patient experiences hip joint pain when lifting the leg. Additionally, clinicians assess for difficulty bending forward and worsening pain at night. Further diagnostic evaluation requires hospital-based imaging—such as CT scanning—and HLA-B27 testing to determine whether the condition stems from genetic factors or inflammatory/infectious causes. In daily life, patients should maintain adequate warmth and avoid strenuous physical activity.
