ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS - AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis is included under seronegative spondyloarthropathy with an unkown etiology and a strong family history. It is having a male to female ration 3:1 with a worldwide prevalence of 0.2 to 1.4%. This disease is a HLA-B27 associated auto immune condition with a peak onset in second and third decades of life. The term ankylosing spondylitis is derived from two greek roots, ankylos and spondylos.¹ The word ankylos means bent and spondylos means disk since ankylosing of the spine occurs as the disease progresses. It has both skeletal and extra-skeletal manifestations. The main pathophysiology in Ankylosing spondylitis is autoimmune with inflammatory reactions which affect the enthesis, bone and joints. These clinical conditions later lead to the formation of syndesmophytes and spinal fusions. In Ayurveda we can include the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis under the wide spectrum of vataraktha. This review article deals with etiology, pathophysiology and probable view of the disease as per ayurveda along with treatment modalities.

Key words: Ankylosing spondylitis, vataraktha