fbpx

About ASIF

ASIF is an international membership organisation representing patient associations around the globe specialising in the support of patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA)

ASIF is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales Charity # 1205000

ASIF’s Vision is  A world where everyone affected by axSpA (and related conditions) lives their best life

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

Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that encompasses radiographic (ankylosing spondylitis or AS) and non-radiographic (nr-axSpA) forms.  It is a rheumatic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints  Called Morbus Bechterew in some European countries.  It can lead to chronic pain, structural damage and disability.

Leading symptom:  Inflammatory back pain that improves with exercise but not with rest
Disease onset: Usually before the age of 45, often in the 20’s
Prevalence:  Similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis 0.2-1.4% of adults have axSpA
Comorbidities:  Patients may also experience uveitis, psoriasis, enthesitis and IBD
axSpA:  Affects both men and women equally

axSpA places a huge physical impact and psychological stress on patients which can disrupt every aspect of their life and its quality including mobility, sleep, work and relationships.  It is a poorly understood disease that causes patients to worry for their future.

ASIF is a member of the People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe (PARE), a standing committee of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). We also cooperate with the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS), the international working group of axial spondyloarthritis researchers.

ASIF has 52 Patient Organisation Members from 42 countries around the world.

Industry Partners

ASIF is grateful to its industry partners:

ASIF Newsletters

Download our latest Newsletter (March 2024)

Aims of Asif

  • Exchange of information and experiences among the member societies,
  • Cooperation in international research projects,
  • Exchange of articles for publication in the journals of the member societies,
  • Support of the development of newly formed societies,
  • Make contact with axial spondyloarthritis stakeholders in countries where an axSpA society does not yet exist

ASIF Constitution

This version of the constitution was accepted by the ASIF Council at its 12th meeting held in Moscow (Russia) on 8th October 2016 and amended at a Annual General Meeting in Madrid (Spain) on 12th June 2019.
image
image

ASIF Team

Please click on our team members to read more about them.

  • ZHIVKO YANKOV
    President ZHIVKO YANKOV Bulgaria
  • ANDRI PHOKA
    Secretary ANDRI PHOKA Cyprus
  • Susan Davies
    Treasurer Susan Davies UK
  • DR. TUNCAY DURUÖZ
    Trustee DR. TUNCAY DURUÖZ Turkey
  • RAJ MAHAPATRA
    Trustee RAJ MAHAPATRA United Kingdom
  • CASSIE SHAFER
    Trustee CASSIE SHAFER United States of America
  • LILLANN WERMSKOG
    Trustee LILLANN WERMSKOG Norway
  • MARANDA VAN DAM
    Trustee MARANDA VAN DAM South Africa
  • DR. UTA KILTZ
    Scientific advisor DR. UTA KILTZ Germany
  • PROF. MARCO GARRIDO CUMBRERA
    Scientific Advisor PROF. MARCO GARRIDO CUMBRERA Spain
  • MIKE MANDELBAUM
    Executive Director MIKE MANDELBAUM United Kingdom
  • JO DAVIES
    Assistant Director JO DAVIES United Kingdom
  • JO LOWE
    Project Manager JO LOWE Portugal
  • JOANNE DE BRY
    Communications Manager JOANNE DE BRY United Kingdom
Languages: