AS can be difficult to diagnose
There is not one simple test that will diagnose AS. Instead the rheumatologist has to put together all the findings rather like a jigsaw. Click to read more about tests for diagnosing AS.
It can be particularly difficult to get a diagnosis if you are one of the 5% of people with AS in the UK who are HLA-B27 negative. Click to read a NASS member account of his lengthy journey to an AS diagnosis.
In the audio recording below Dr Andrew Keat, consultant rheumatologist discusses some of the difficulties in making a diagnosis of AS.
We also discussed diagnosis with Hannah, a member of NASS and she told us her experiences.
We would love to hear your story of diagnosis, whether it happened within days, weeks or years. You can write as much or as little as you want in the box below. We receive all the comments and publish them on the page, usually within 1 working day so your comment won't appear immediately.
If you have any queries contact our Information Officer.
Last reviewed: January 2011