Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Question: Does humira halt or repair damage?

Great point Tim about separating joint damage from fusion!!

The numbers I have seen vary but There is a constant theme that at least 60% never see significant changes on xrays.

sorry where do you get these figures from.

Ithink your talking about spondylitis or spondolosis thats inflamation of the joints. AS Ankylosing is joints that become fused becuase of inflamation If you just have inflammation you dont have AS.
Kevin

Here is the classic study

Of 51 Canadian war veterans with ankylosing spondylitis followed from 1947-1980 (ie 33 years) the disease progressed to severe spinal restriction in 21 (41% or 2 in 5) people. Those people who progressed to severe disease after 33 years had already got severe disease within the first 10 years of symptoms. Those who did not develop severe disease did not have severe X ray changes in the first 10 years. This means the severity of disease can be predicted in the early years. A predictable pattern of disease emerges within the first 10 years of disease.

Source:
http://www.asresearch.co.uk/asfacts.htm#4

Here is data from the makers of Enbrel I believe on AS in the US. Slide 14

Total AS patients in US -- 325,000 (now we know this number is bigger)
Diagnosed and Treated -- 146,000
Mild Disease -- 55.000
Moderate Disease -- 44,000
Severe Disease 25,000
Fused -- 23, 000

Source:

http://cme.medscape.com:80/viewarticle/465357

Im not disagreeing totaly you can have more minor fusing. but there has to be fusing other wise its not AS.

The ssa says not all will advance to spinal fusion

Can you show me a link that says you must have fusion to carry an AS label because I know many people diagnosed with AS who have no fusion, at least not yet.

Most docs will diagnose AS on SI joint inflammation alone and do not need to see spinal fusion nor do I see that requirement on the Modified New York criteria for diagnosing AS.

I dont need to show you a link Ankylosing is to become fused so how can you have AS if you have no fusion. Im sorry Im not trying to be funny I just want to know how some one can be diagnosed with AS if they have no fusion.
Kevin

Yes, "ankylosing" refers to fusion, and unfortunately the name given to the disease is not the best description of the disease...yet it remains the name nonetheless. Back when the name was given, the only way to really identify it was through fusion (why so many went undiagnosed).

I have zero fusion or joint damage, yet I have been given the diagnoses of "AS" by a competent rheumatologist.

There is some talk now of using new terms that are better suited, such as "axial spondyloarthritides" (SpA) for people who have the disease but no fusion, reserving the class term "AS" for only those with fusion.

Quote:

---

The term AS was introduced around 1900 at a time when a diagnosis could be made only on the basis of the clinical experience, without the help of imaging or laboratory results. The term axial SpA, covering patients early in the course of the disease and patients with a less progressive course, seems to be more adequate [3], whereas the term AS should be reserved for the more advanced 'ankylosed' phase of the disease.

---

Source: http://arthritis-research.com/content/11/1/208