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The problem with estimating how many people in the UK suffer from AS is that it can take many years to diagnose the disease. The first many years it can simply manifest itself with some level of back pain, which most people experience now and then. Therefore AS will not usually be considered an option.
Numbers on ankylosing spondylitis
AS differs from regular arthritis, which is known to become more prevalent with age. AS does not know age and especially people between 15-45 are affected. Per 100.000 people, these are the etimates for the annual diagnoses of AS in the UK, divided in age groups :
< 15 : 30 persons
15-24 : 630
25-34 : 1,280
35-44 : 990
45-54 : 590
55-64 : 160
> 64 : 210
AS affects men significantly more than it does women and per 100.000 people, these are the estimates for the annual diagnoses in men and women in the UK, also divided in age groups :
< 15 : Men 0.7 % / Women 0.0%
15-24 : Men 14.9 % / Women 3.6 %
25-34 : Men 23.7 % / Women 6.4 %
35-44 : Men 18.2 % / Women 4.0 %
45-54 : Men 12.3 % / Women 3.3 %
55-64 : Men 2.5 % / Women 2.0 %
> 64 : Men 3.8 % / Women 1.4 %
Source: Arthritis Research UK
Last updated: 22/08/2019
