Typical symptoms of AS include:

• Slow or gradual onset of back pain and stiffness over weeks or months, rather than hours or days
• Early-morning stiffness and pain, wearing off or reducing during the day with exercise
• Persistence for more than 3 months (as opposed to coming on in short attacks)
• Feeling better after exercise and worse after rest
• Weight loss, especially in the early stages
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Feeling feverish and experiencing night sweats

Last reviewed: September 2012