(June 26, 2014, Guangzhou) Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd. launched the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Awareness Summer Campaign for Youth themed “Stand Tall for Life”, during the 19^th International Congress of Chinese Rheumatology in Guangzhou. The campaign is designed to build awareness of this debilitating disease that impacts more than 5 million people in China.

The first signs of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), most often appear in adolescents and young adults, with the majority of diagnoses occurring in patients between the ages of twenty and thirty. The disease is most prevalent among men¹.

AS is a disease of the axial skeleton that causes spinal inflammation and fusion, and often results in physical disability. The condition leads to severe chronic pain, with possible damage to other organs, including the heart, eyes and lungs. If left untreated, AS can result in spinal ankylosis and kyphosis, making everyday activities difficult for patients to manage.

Leading rheumatologists, including Prof. Zeng Xiaofeng, Chairman of Chinese Rheumatology Association, Prof. Zhang Zhiji, Prof. Gu Jieruo, and, Prof. Xu Huji, Vice-Chairman of Chinese Rheumatology Association, Prof. Liu Yi, joined other industry professionals and patient representatives at the meeting. Together, they discussed new approaches to raise public awareness of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), particularly the signs of early-onset AS among youth and their families.

“Many patients with AS remain undiagnosed for many years, as the back pain experienced in early stages of the disease is often similar to pain caused by a variety of other diseases and injuries. Survey data indicates that the time between first symptom onset and accurate diagnosis is an average of 6 years in China,” said Prof. Zeng Xiaofeng. Many AS patients consult orthopedic specialists; however, Prof. Zeng suggests increasing the role of the rheumatology department to improve diagnoses and treatment outcomes.

“It is difficult to identify early symptoms of AS. Individuals under the age of 40 who experience back pain lasting more than 3 months, including lower or chronic back pain, morning stiffness, or pain at night, should promptly be assessed by a rheumatology specialist,” said Prof. Xu Huji, Chief Physician of Rheumatology Department, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital. “In addition, it is important for AS patients to look out for early signs of the disease in their children, as children of AS patients have a diagnosis rate 100 times that of the average population due to the strong genetic component of the disease². Children presenting potential early signs of the disease should receive medical screening as soon as possible,”1 he added.

AS will lead to hip involvement in approximately one third of patients, and is more likely to occur in patients with early onset of the disease. This is frequently associated with limited mobility, and can lead to disability and the requirement for hip replacement surgery³.

”A Survey of Diagnosis And Treatment of AS Patients with Hip Involvement in China shows that more than half of doctors believe that patients who do not receive proper treatment are at risk for disability within five years,” said Prof. Gu Jieruo. 

“Hip involvement in AS patients is very serious and should be treated rapidly and carefully, particularly given the positive prognosis when early treatment is received. Left untreated, refractory lesions can develop in advanced stages due to a reduced sensitivity to medication and the difficulty of repairing damaged cartilage⁴. Intravenous biologics are effective in treating AS, and can largely control the progression of the disease, prevent hip involvement, and avoid disability,” said Prof. Zhang Zhiyi.

A recent AS Life Impact survey⁵ showed that AS has a significantly negative impact on the everyday lives of patients in China. Sixty percent of those surveyed said that AS had already caused them to develop a hunched posture due to spine misalignment. Seventy-three percent of patients reported that AS prevents them from participating in recreational activities. Eighty-two percent of patients expressed that AS has negatively impacted their career. “It is important to encourage patients to receive effective, timely and appropriate treatment in order to treat the symptoms of AS and restore quality of life,” said Prof. Gu Jieruo.

“Xian Janssen is collaborating with the Chinese Rheumatology Association to achieve our common goal of promoting AS advocacy and improving diagnostic and treatment outcomes for AS patients. We are committed to raising public awareness of AS, especially among youth, increasing the effectiveness of treatment plans, and improving patients’ quality of life,” said Cesar Rodriguez, President of Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.