Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)

What is Axial Spondyloarthritis? 

"Inflammatory arthritis" refers to a condition that causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness. Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), also known as ankylosing spondylitis, is a type of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects joints in the chest, spine, and pelvis.

AxSpA affects about 1.4% of people in the U.S. The cause of axial spondyloarthritis is unknown. It can occur at any age, though onset is usually during late adolescence or early adulthood. Women and men are affected equally, though fusion of the spine due to AxSpA is more common in men.​

Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), also known as ankylosing spondylitis, is part of a larger group of arthritis types called spondyloarthritis. These include psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthritis, and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis.

Symptoms of AxSpA and the Spondyloarthropathies

Signs and symptoms of AxSpA and the spondyloarthropathies include:

  • Back pain
  • Stiffness in the lower back and hips, especially in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest or inactivity
  • Neck pain
  • Fatigue

Diagnosing AxSpA and the Spondyloarthropathies

There is no one test that can diagnose AxSpA, but blood and imaging tests can sometimes aid in the clinical diagnosis alongside a physical exam.

There are two types of axial spondyloarthritis. When the condition can be seen on X-ray, it is called ankylosing spondylitis or axial spondyloarthritis. When it cannot be seen on X-ray but is diagnosed based on symptoms and other testing, it is called nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

There are no specific blood tests to identify AxSpA. Most people who have ankylosing spondylitis have the HLA-B27 gene, so your doctor may test for that. However, many people who have the gene never develop ankylosing spondylitis, and people can have the disease without having the gene.