A review on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Homoeopathy

Dr Jainish M Malaviya

Abstract
AS is present in 1% to 6% of adults inheriting HLA-B27. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory condition. Predominant clinical feature of AS is inflammatory backache followed by stiffness of the spine. ⁽¹⁾

Keywords
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Sacroiliitis, HLA-B27, Enthesopathy, Spondyloarthropathies (SpA).

Introduction
AS is symptomatic sacroiliitis (persistent pain and stiffness for >3 months associated with morning stiffness and improvement with exercise/worsening with rest). ⁽²⁾

Epidemiology of AS
Epidemiology AS is present in 1% to 6% of adults inheriting HLA-B27, whereas the prevalence is 10% to 30% among HLA-B27+ adult first degree relatives. In whites, the prevalence of AS is 0.5% to 1% and male to female ratio is 5:1. The HLA-B27 is found in 90% to 95% of patients. There are no Indian data on prevalence of AS. Positivity of HLA-B27 in studies from north and south India is 94% and 83%, respectively. ⁽¹⁾

Pathogenesis of AS
There is a persistent inflammation at the affected synovial joints and entheseal sites with increased mononuclear cell infiltrates. Participation of both macrophages and T cells in an inflammatory 1845 process triggered by a yet undefined antigen presented by susceptible HLA molecules is believed to be fundamental to the pathogenic process. The strong association of HLA-B27 in all ethnic groups suggests a predominant role for this class I molecule. The HLA-B27 has 29 subtypes and B2704 and B2705 are susceptible and B2706 and B2709 are non-susceptible subtypes. Certain environmental microbial factors interplay with susceptible genes to trigger off the immune-mediated synovitis. However, the link between any particular microbe with AS is weak. ⁽¹⁾

Clinical features of AS

• Insidious onset of discomfort
• Age at onset 3 months
• Association with morning stiffness
• Improvement with exercise Ankylosing spondylitis does not burn out, it continues to be active. Fatigue is a major component. No system in the body is unaffected. Sacroiliac joints and spine – Early sign is evidence of sacroiliac joint arthritis.

Homoeopathic management

1. Rhus Toxicodendron

Pain between the shoulders especially on swallowing. Small of back is very painful which is better on motion, lying on something hard, worse on sitting. marked stiffness of nape of neck. Lumbago is generally associated with sciatica.

2. Kali Carbonicum

This medicine has a characteristic action on small of back. The small of back feels very weak. Patient feels stiffness & paralytic type of pain in back. Pains radiate from hips to knee.

3. Calcarea Fluorica

It is great remedy for osseous tumors & bony overgrowths. Patient will complain of chronic lumbago worse on beginning to move& ameliorated on continued motion. Burning type of pain is felt in lower part of back.

4. Nux Vomica

Backache especially in the lumbar region. Burning type of pain is present in the spine which is worse at 3 to 4 am. cervical- brachial neuralgic pain which is worse on touch.

5. Natrum muriaticum

There is great sensitiveness between vertebrae, relived by lying on back & upon something hard. Patient complains of paralysis from the weakness of spine. Backache is generally worse in morning. Restlessness & debility are marked. ⁽³⁾

Repertorial approach

Complete – Back

SPONDYLITIS (see Inflammation; Vertebrae) (2) “1 carc, 1 ph-ac

Complete – Back

SPONDYLITIS  Cervical (1) : 1 ph-ac

Murphy – Back

ANKLOSING spondylitis (10) : 3 AESC, 1 agar, 2 arg-m, 1 caust, 1 cimic, 2 con, 1 kali-c, 3 KALM, 2 nat-m, 2 rhus-t

 Murphy – Diseases

ANKLOSING spondylitis (10) : 3 AESC, 1 agar, 2 arg-m, 1 caust, 1 cimic, 2 con, 1 kali-c, 3 KALM, 2 nat-m, 2 rhus-t

 Murphy – Diseases

SPONDYLITIS, neck (1) : 1 ph-ac

Murphy – Neck

SPONDYLITIS (1) : 1 ph-ac

 Phatak – Phatak

SPONDYLITIS, CERVICAL (1) : 1 ph-ac

Phatak – Phatak

NECK, SPONDYLITIS (1) : 1 ph-ac

Conclusion
In today era Autoimmune disorders are increasing day by day and in modern science having no such type of proven medicine to cure the disease of Autoimmunity and using steroidal preparations are having many adverse consequences. So, here is the role of Homoeopathic potentized medicines to managing autoimmune condition with having best Lifestyles.

References

• Munjal YP. API Textbook of Medicine. 9th ed. Agarwal AK, Gupta p, Kamath SA, Nadkar MY, Singal RK, Sundar S, et al., editors.: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.; 2012.
• Golwalla AF, Golwalla SA. Golwalla’s MEDICINE for Students A Reference Book for the Family Physician. 25th ed. NADKAR MY, editor. New Delhi: The Health Sciences Publisher, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.; 2017.
• Boericke W. Pocket Manual of HOMOEOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA & REPERTORY. 9th ed.: B. JAIN PUBLISHERS (P) LTD.; 14th impression ; 2016.
• Cara Software.

Dr Jainish M. Malaviya
PG Scholar Part 2 (Practice of Medicine) C.D. Pachchigar College of Homoeopathic Medicine
Jainishmalaviya12345@gmail.com