Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones has pledged to raise awareness of Ankylosing Spondylitis (commonly known as AS), a painful and progressive form of inflammatory arthritis affecting one adult in every 200.
The average delay between onset of the disease and correct diagnosis is eight and a half years.
Ms Jones said: “Ankylosing Spondylitis is rather common, however its public awareness levels remain low. Many people suffer in severe pain for years.
“Early diagnosis and good treatment is vital and as the average time until diagnosis in Wales is eight and a half years, we need to do more to make people aware of the condition. Delays in diagnosis can severely affect the impact and effectiveness of treatment.
“We must do more to ensure that victims of this painful condition receive a timely diagnosis and adequate access to physiotherapy and other required treatments”.
The spine is most commonly affected but other joints, tendons and ligaments can also be affected. Symptoms usually start in late teens and early twenties. There is no cure for AS but symptoms can be managed with medication and appropriate exercise. Left untreated, it can become chronic, disabling and will cause irreversible spinal damage.
