Axial Spondyloarthritis
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes significant and long-lasting back pain.1 It is an umbrella term for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), where changes to the spine and joints can be seen on X-ray, and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA), where symptoms are present without any X-ray change.1
AxSpA affects 1 in 200 adults in the UK and typically starts in the late teens or early twenties.1 Men often experience a more progressive form of the disease, whereas women experience worsened disease activity and quality of life.2
As well as back pain and stiffness, symptoms may also include weight loss, fatigue and feeling feverish.1 While there is not yet a cure for axSpA, patients can relieve pain, swelling and other associated symptoms with exercise, physiotherapy, and treatment.3
In the UK, the average delay from when symptoms first appear to diagnosis is 8.5 years, by which irreversible damage to the spine may have occurred.1 This is why UCB supports the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society on its Act on axial SpA campaign launched in 2021, which seeks to reduce the average diagnosis time for axSpA from 8.5 years to a maximum of 12 months. Since its launch, key achievements include:
- Over 150 HCPs from the NHS and private practices have joined the network, participating in monthly webinars and exchanging valuable insights, skills and ideas on how to tackle axSpA challenges in the current landscape
- Over 20 HCPs have been recognised for their leadership in helping to reduce diagnostic delays and improving care, earning awards in 2023 and an official ‘Change Maker’ status
As well as this campaign, we remain dedicated to working with the axSpA community to explore transformative solutions that relieve the burden of axSpA.
To learn more about axSpA, head to the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society.
For healthcare professionals:
If you’re a healthcare professional and want to learn more about UCB in axSpA, head to UCBCares.
References
1 NHS Royal Free London Foundation Trust. What is Axial Spondyloarthritis. Available at: https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/axial-spondyloarthritis. Last accessed: October 2025
2 Rusman T, van Vollenhoven RF and van der Horst-Bruinsma IE. Gender Differences in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Women Are Not So Lucky. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2018;20(6):35.
3 Arthritis Foundation. Ankylosing Spondylitis & Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/ankylosing-spondylitis. Last accessed: October 2025
IE-DA-2400185 | October 2025