What is axSpA?
Axial Spondyloarthritis (also known as axSpA or axial SpA) is one of a group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases known as Spondyloarthritis that share clinical and genetic features.
AxSpA is a progressive chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and the sacroiliac (SI) joints that connect the lower spine to the pelvis. This results in pain and stiffness in the lower back, hips and buttocks. It can also affect other joints in the body, as well as tendons and ligaments. It causes inflammation and can lead to chronic pain, and impairments in mobility.
Latest from ASIF
2 September 2026
Collaboration in Action: ASIF Council Meeting
This year's theme, Collaboration in Action, reflects our shared commitment to strengthening organisations, improving support for people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and creating lasting impact across the global ASIF network.
2 September 2026
EULAR Update: Looking Ahead to Berlin 2027
The next EULAR Congress will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 9-12 June 2027. The annual congress brings together thousands of delegates to share the latest scientific developments, discuss emerging challenges and explore new opportunities to improve care for people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
2 September 2026
New International axSpA Classification Criteria: Why They Matter to Patient Organisations
Researchers from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) and the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network (SPARTAN) have developed revised classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). First presented at ACR Convergence 2025 and highlighted again at EULAR 2026, the new criteria represent an important development for the global axSpA community.
ASIF programmes
2 September 2026
IMAP: Gains Momentum as More Than 20 Countries Confirm Participation
More than 20 countries across Europe have already agreed to participate in the first phase of the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis (IMAP), a major new ASIF project designed to understand the lived experience of people with axSpA or psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
8 July 2026
World AS Day 2026: Our Biggest Year Yet!
This year’s story-led campaign reached more people than ever before. Across ASIF’s channels alone, we connected with over 51 million people and generated more than 56 million impressions, while driving nearly 100,000 visits to World AS Day resources.
8 July 2026
LAMAS
The LAMAS report presents findings from the Latin American component of the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS) where the study was conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.
11 March 2026
Patient Resources
What is axSpA? Treatment options, Living well with axSpA, Getting the most out of your rheumatology appointments, Building a partnership with your doctor – these are just some of the guides available for download on our Resources webpage. In addition to patient-focused guides, there is information about ASDAS and BASDAI, webinar recordings, videos and guides on exercise and movement and guides specifically for patient organisations.
From around the world
2 September 2026
ELEANA: Giving a Voice to People Living with axSpA in Greece
For more than 45 years, the Hellenic League Against Rheumatism (ELEANA) has been dedicated to improving the lives of people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Greece. Today, the organisation supports more than 10,000 patients and their families, promoting patient education, awareness, advocacy and equal access to healthcare.
2 September 2026
Spondycast: Conversations That Matter
Living with spondyloarthritis (SpA) comes with a lot of questions. From understanding a diagnosis to managing symptoms, finding the right treatment, staying active, or balancing work and family, there is always something new to learn.
2 September 2026
What Do axSpA Treatment Guidelines Mean for People Living with axSpA?
Two important sets of treatment guidelines are shaping care for axSpA: the ASAS-EULAR recommendations, published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases in 2023, and the 2025 guideline from the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR). The ASAS-EULAR recommendations provide international guidance on managing axSpA, while the BSR guideline focuses specifically on the use of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, known as b-DMARDs and tsDMARDs, in adults with axSpA. It does not cover all aspects of axSpA care, but sits alongside broader guidance on overall disease management.
2 September 2026
World IBD Day 2026: Building Global Partnerships to Improve Access to Care
On 16 May 2026, the International Federation of Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Associations (IFCCA), in collaboration with the Crohn's & Colitis Society of Singapore (CCSS), brought together patient leaders, healthcare professionals and international partners in Singapore to mark World IBD Day. Under the theme "Access to IBD Care: Towards One Global Standard", the meeting combined an Asia-Pacific Networking Meeting with an International Roundtable, creating a platform for dialogue between patient organisations from across the region and the wider global IBD community.
Conferences and Events
About ASIF
Established in 1988, the Axial Spondyloarthritis International Federation is an international membership organisation representing patient associations around the globe specialising in the support of patients with axSpA with 56 Patient Organisation Members from 45 countries around the world.
ASIF’s Mission is to advocate globally to improve the lives of people affected by axial spondyloarthritis and related conditions. To grow, strengthen and empower our community, and to raise awareness around the world.