Kaz,
Spondyloarthropathy ( aka SpA or spondy or spondylitis ) is the family of arthritis AS belongs to.... Basicalyy inflammation of the spine without the ankylosis ( fusing ).
Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( IBD ) which is usually chron's or ulcerative colitis are also related conditions, along with eye inflammation typically uveitis or iritis.
Reactive arthrits, formerly reiters is another member.
All the spondy's have a peripheral version ie small joints fingers toes, elbows knees, shoulders, Methetreaxte helps alot more with the smaller joints the peripheral arthritis. However not everyone gets the peripheral arthritis.
All the spondy's have an axial version which affects the big joints which is spine, the pelvic/spinal area sacral illiacs and some of the bigger joints hips and shoulders typically but knees etc can be included.
All the other spondy's can evolve to AS, which is when you get the ankylosis, the fusing of the joints. Some refer to the other spondy's as pre AS early AS etc but not everyone will fuse.
With the biologicals I'm unlucky my diagnosis the PBS does not cover me for the biologicals such as remicade enbrel etc, and here in Australia nor is Ulcerative Colitis. I've researched them quite a bit in terms of what works better, but I gave it up when it was an obvious lost cause.
Hope this helps
Dave
