Lower Back Pain: Why It Affects Even 20-Somethings and Needs to Be Treated
Caption: Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of lower back pain, can lead to spinal deformity, blindness and even heart problems, if left untreated. (iStock photo)
"Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of lower back pain, tends to begin between the ages of 20 to 40 and both males and females can be affected. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, however the gene HLA-B27 has been associated with the disease. People with this gene are thought to be at higher risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. A child has a 15 per cent chance of developing the disease if a parent has it,” says Dr Warren Fong, Consultant at the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and the Autoimmunity and Rheumatology Centre (ARC), Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.
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Diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis
The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is based on symptoms, imaging tests, an examination of the spine and family history.
There is currently no cure for ankylosing spondylitis but early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the progression of the disease and improve symptoms. A significant proportion of patients are later able to be off medications. The challenge is in diagnosing the condition early, as patients are usually only diagnosed with the condition five years after the onset of symptoms.
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“A lot of patients suffer from the pain and stiffness during the most productive years of their lives, affecting their work and studies, but early treatment can change that,” says Dr Fong.
Early treatment of the condition can reduce the rate of disease progression and help prevent the severe, long-term consequences of this inflammatory condition, such as a twisted or severely hunched back, blindness and heart problems. It can also help improve work productivity in patients with this condition.
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