僵直性脊椎炎為一種脊椎關節炎，早期症狀主要為慢性發炎性背痛，過去診斷根據為X光片上薦腸關節炎的表現，許多患者因此在發病多年後才被診斷為僵直性脊椎炎，而脊椎及其他大關節變形與破壞卻早已開始，患者最後不得不接受手術治瘡。其他相關併發症，如骨質疏鬆、骨折、心血管疾病、或眼部及腸胃道受侵犯，更影響病患的生活品質與存活率。細胞激素抑制劑的發展，使患者能藉由藥物，更有效控制慢性發炎及後續結構破壞。早期診断，成為治瘡此疾病的最大關鍵。

Ankylosing spondylitis is a subtype of spondyloarthritis. Chronic inflammatory back pain is the major early presentation and the disease was confirmed by sacroilitis sign in the radiographs in the past. Many patients
were therefore diagnosed several years after the insidious onset and the deformity and destruction of spine and peripheral joints had begun. Many patients may need to end up with operation. Other complications, such as osteoporosis, fractures, cardiovascular disease, uveitis and gastrointestinal involvement, all have great impact on the life quality and survival of patients. Novel biologic therapies, cytokine inhibitors, control inflammation and disease progression more effectively. Early diagnosis, therefore, becomes crucial to treat ankylosing spondylitis.