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Ankylosing spondylitis--a systemic disease
Adriana Albu1, I Parasca, Simona Tălu
1Medical Clinic II, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. tatarualbu@yahoo.com
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic disease with significant extraskeletal effects impacting patient prognosis. This review details AS systemic manifestations, covering pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatments.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the primary condition within seronegative spondylarthropathies.
- AS is increasingly recognized as a systemic illness, not solely confined to the axial skeleton.
- Extraskeletal manifestations significantly impact the overall prognosis and quality of life for AS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the principal systemic manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis.
- To elucidate the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying these extraskeletal complications.
- To outline the clinical presentation and therapeutic strategies for managing systemic AS.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of systemic manifestations in ankylosing spondylitis.
- Analysis of pathogenetic pathways involved in extraskeletal involvement.
- Synthesis of clinical data and treatment guidelines.
Main Results:
- AS involves diverse extraskeletal systems, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, and ocular.
- Inflammatory and autoimmune processes contribute to systemic disease progression.
- Early recognition and management of systemic features are crucial for patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Ankylosing spondylitis necessitates a comprehensive, systemic approach to patient care.
- Understanding extraskeletal manifestations is key to improving long-term prognosis in AS.
- Integrated therapeutic strategies are essential for managing the multifaceted nature of AS.
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