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
9 June 2025
Webinar: HCP Education
Our recent webinar brought together speakers from the UK, Canada, and South Africa, who exchanged ideas, shared successes, and discuss challenges in raising awareness with HCPs with the aim of reducing the delay in the diagnosis of axSpA. Attendees joined the webinar from Panama to Ireland, the Philippines to Germany and many countries in between.
9 June 2025
Wow! What a World AS Day!
Awareness was raised with millions of people this World AS Day. ASIF’s social media posts reached 16.5 million people alone. We know our members, partners and individuals raised huge amounts of awareness online and at face-to-face events so the number of people who learnt about axSpA is much higher!
9 June 2025
EULAR: Come and say 'hi'!
Will you be at EULAR in Barcelona? If so please, come and say ‘hi’ at the ASIF Booth (O13). We will be raising awareness of axSpA, our work around the world and about our members.
ASIF programmes
9 June 2025
World AS Day
World AS Day 2025 raised international awareness of the everyday challenges faced by people living with axSpA. The campaign brings together people living with axSpA, patient organisations, HCPs and industry.
21 March 2025
IMAS
Dive into the numbers from the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS) Global Report in our interactive webpages. With data from more than 5,500 patients from 27 countries across five continents, IMAS is the largest ever survey of axSpA patients. The report is now available to download in English, French and German.
21 March 2025
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
9 June 2025
ELEANA
The Hellenic League Against Rheumatism (ELEANA) became a member of ASIF in 2022. Over the years it's work in axSpA has increased tremendously.
9 June 2025
Rheumatology: a New Dawn in Africa, but what about Advocacy?
In Africa there is a massive lack of rheumatologists. According to a study done by the ACR in 2015, the ideal ratio would be 2:100 000.
9 June 2025
Global Remission Coalition
We are delighted to announce that ASIF has become one of the founding members of the Global Remission Coalition which was launched on 21 May 2025 on the side of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
24 March 2025
Global Spondyloarthritis Summit
Registration is now open! Join us on May 2-3, 2025, for the Spondylitis Association of America’s 7th Annual Global Spondyloarthritis Summit—a free, virtual event bringing together top experts to explore the latest in SpA care.
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.