Member news

CATEGORIES

ASIF news

Member news

World AS Day

IMAS

Delay to Diagnosis

Conferences and events

Research and science

News from around the world

Aug 21, 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. That’s why the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) created Spondycast. Since launching Spondycast in 2023, SAA has produced more … Continue reading...

Aug 11, 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. As the Greek member of … Continue reading "ELEANA: Givi...

Jul 6, 2026

Watch On Demand: “Not Just Back Pain – Patient Experiences” Webinar in Spanish

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Foundation in Colombia recently hosted an informative Spanish-language webinar to mark World Day dedicated to people living with axSpA. Titled “Not Just Back Pain – Patient Experiences,” the session highlighted the real-life experiences of patients and provided valuable clinical insight into this often misunderstood condition. The webinar featured contributions from patients …...

Jul 6, 2026

The Icelandic League Against Rheumatism: A Unified Voice in a Small Nation

Hrönn Stefánsdóttir In a country like Iceland, with a population of just under 400,000 people, it is neither practical nor sustainable to establish separate organisations for each rheumatic disease. Instead, The Icelandic League Against Rheumatism operates as an umbrella organisation for all rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, including axial spondyloarthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Within the League, each diagnosis has …...

Jun 29, 2026

INAPE – National Institute for the Support of People with Spondyloarthritis, Brazil

Rafael Comparsi The National Institute for the Support of People with Spondyloarthritis (INAPE) is a Brazilian non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, educating and defending the rights of people living with spondyloarthritis and other immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. Officially founded in December 2023, INAPE was born from the urgent need to transform the reality of thousands of … Continue reading...

Jun 27, 2026

Introducing tRi: Advocating for Awareness, Research, Education, Support, and Better Rheumatology Care

Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases affect millions of people worldwide, yet they remain some of the least understood chronic conditions, particularly within many African communities. For individuals living with conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, juvenile arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases, the journey is often marked by delayed diagnoses, limited awareness, financial burdens, …...

Aug 21, 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. That’s why the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) created Spondycast. Since launching Spondycast in 2023, SAA has produced more … Continue reading...

Aug 11, 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. As the Greek member of … Continue reading "ELEANA: Givi...

Jul 6, 2026

Watch On Demand: “Not Just Back Pain – Patient Experiences” Webinar in Spanish

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Foundation in Colombia recently hosted an informative Spanish-language webinar to mark World Day dedicated to people living with axSpA. Titled “Not Just Back Pain – Patient Experiences,” the session highlighted the real-life experiences of patients and provided valuable clinical insight into this often misunderstood condition. The webinar featured contributions from patients …...

Jul 6, 2026

The Icelandic League Against Rheumatism: A Unified Voice in a Small Nation

Hrönn Stefánsdóttir In a country like Iceland, with a population of just under 400,000 people, it is neither practical nor sustainable to establish separate organisations for each rheumatic disease. Instead, The Icelandic League Against Rheumatism operates as an umbrella organisation for all rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, including axial spondyloarthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Within the League, each diagnosis has …...

Jun 29, 2026

INAPE – National Institute for the Support of People with Spondyloarthritis, Brazil

Rafael Comparsi The National Institute for the Support of People with Spondyloarthritis (INAPE) is a Brazilian non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, educating and defending the rights of people living with spondyloarthritis and other immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. Officially founded in December 2023, INAPE was born from the urgent need to transform the reality of thousands of … Continue reading...

Jun 27, 2026

Introducing tRi: Advocating for Awareness, Research, Education, Support, and Better Rheumatology Care

Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases affect millions of people worldwide, yet they remain some of the least understood chronic conditions, particularly within many African communities. For individuals living with conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, juvenile arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases, the journey is often marked by delayed diagnoses, limited awareness, financial burdens, …...

Jun 26, 2026

From Listening to Building: Scouting New Patient Voices in South Africa

Maranda van Dam is Founder of ASASA (Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of South Africa) and a former ASIF Trustee A room in Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa on a Friday afternoon. Twenty-four patients, five caregivers, nine rheumatic and related conditions. This was ASASA’s second Hand in Hand patient support meeting, and it was … Continue reading "From L...

Dec 3, 2025

Axial Spondyloarthritis Playbook: Reducing Time to Diagnosis and Improving Patient Experience

Written by Jill Hamilton, Head of Policy & Health Services at NASS Background In 2021, the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) (UK), launched the Act on Axial SpA campaign to tackle one of the greatest challenges in axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA*): the delay in diagnosis. While this is a critical issue in the UK, delayed … Continue reading "Axial Spondyloarthritis Playbook: R...

Dec 2, 2025

Introducing our newest member: 3majmy się razem – Poland

Written by Viola Zajk Founded in 2008, 3majmy się razem (“Let’s stick together”) is a patient organisation in Poland that unites people living with inflammatory connective tissue diseases, axSpA, and other chronic rheumatic conditions. In 2026 we will celebrate our 18th anniversary – eighteen years of shared challenges, learning, and deep human connection. Our … Continue reading...

Sep 5, 2025

Go With Us

Written by Julia Mani, Ai Arthritis “Go With Us” is a unique experience where patients and caregivers around the world can virtually join the AiArthritis team as we attend research conferences. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect to the latest research, communicate with those attending, and learn how this information ties into improving disease management. … Continue reading...

Sep 5, 2025

Brazil’s 24th Medical-Social Meeting on Rheumatic Diseases

Looking back on our first year of participation in ASIF, we can now proudly say that we are truly part of a global community. We’ve gained visibility, found a strong network to rely on, and created a space where we can share our stories, draw strength and inspiration from one another, and grow together. Being … Continue reading "Brazil’s 24th Medical-Social Meeting on Rheumatic Diseases"...

Aug 15, 2025

Spanish axSpA Webinar

The Spanish speaking axSpA community were invited to an informative and interactive webinar on 5 July. The event, held in commemoration of World AS Day was co-hosted by ASIF and ASOPAN the pan-American network of rheumatic patient associations. The half-day webinar, held in commemoration of World AS Day, was streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Inspiring … Continue reading "Spanish axSpA Webinar...

Jun 9, 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. The Global Alliance for Patient Access (GafPA) has, over the past 18 months, convened a series of stakeholder … Continue reading "Global Remission Coalition"...

Jun 9, 2025

AFLAR

Rheumatology: a New Dawn in Africa, but what about Advocacy? Being members of the EULAR IPARE Working Group, Franklin Hiagbe, Maranda van Dam and Dieter Wiek (pictured) attended the African League of Associations for Rheumatology (AFLAR) Congress in conjunction with the Cameroon College of Rheumatology from 10 – 12 April 2025 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. EULAR … Continue reading "AFLAR"...

Jun 9, 2025

ELEANA

The Hellenic League Against Rheumatism (ELEANA) became a member of ASIF in 2022 and participated in its Council Meeting for the first time in Copenhagen. At that time, when asked to present axSpA-related activities to fellow ASIF members, we had little to report beyond our annual participation in World AS Day. This accurately reflected the … Continue reading "ELEANA"...

Mar 22, 2025

APMARR

Associazione Nazionale Persone con Malattie Reumatologiche e Rare (APMARR), celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. APMARR’s mission is “to improve the quality of assistance and to improve the quality of life” offering help and information to people with rheumatic and rare diseases through volunteering, psychological support, awareness campaigns. APMARR runs national and local activities throughout … Continue reading...

Dec 5, 2024

ASIF Council Meeting 2024: Member Posters

At ASIF we are always working to increase our understanding, from an axSpA perspective, of the differences between countries’ healthcare systems and the often complex social issues that affect people’s health. We are now increasing our focus on Latin America....

Nov 25, 2024

New President for CEADE

It is with great enthusiasm that we inform you that after the CEADE General Assembly held in Cordoba on June 29th 2024, it was agreed that a new Board of Directors would assume the responsibility of the organisation. Marco Garrido, who already served on the Executive Board as liaison with ASIF, has been elected as the … Continue reading "New President for CEADE"...

Nov 25, 2024

Fundación de Espondilitis Anquilosante en Colombia

Since its creation, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Foundation in Colombia has contributed to helping those patients recently diagnosed, guiding, and promoting care to achieve a better quality of life and effectiveness in treatments or medical recommendations. The work carried out by the Foundation is achieved through social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and WhatsApp … Co...

Sep 11, 2024

Improving Access for Patients

The introduction of biosimilars – which are almost identical versions of ‘originator’ biologics whose patents have expired – is changing the prescribing landscape in axSpA. It is helping reduce costs to patients and healthcare systems and, if those cost savings are reinvested in axSpA services, can also lead to overall patient care being improved. In … Continue reading "Improving Acces...

Sep 7, 2024

Bekhterev Norge

Bekhterev Norge was initially funded as a diagnosis specific part of the Norwegian Rheumatology Association (NRF) in 1986. The aim was to increase the focus and awareness on axSpA within the full set of rheumatic diseases. Bekhterev Norge was established as a separate organisation in 2018. Bekhterev Norge is fully independent from the government … Continue reading "Bekhterev Norge"...

May 31, 2024

Yoga for AS

Geoff and Jamie from Yoga for AS have produced a short documentary to show how the practices of yoga can benefit for people living with AS/axSpA. Jamie commented, “We hope you enjoy the documentary, and it gives you a dose of inspiration, empowerment, and a sense of community. We are all in this together. … Continue reading "Yoga for AS"...

May 31, 2024

Your SpAce

The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has launched new resources for people living with axSpA to get the most out of their medical appointments and navigate their care. Together with people with people living with axSpA and healthcare professionals, they created short information and lived experience videos covering a range of topics in their Your … Continue reading "Your SpAce"...

Mar 7, 2024

Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of South Africa wins Award

The Academic Excellence and Recognition Award was presented to Maranda van Dam, Chair of ASASA during the SARAA Congress 2024. ASASA won a similar award of excellence at the EULAR PARE (People with Arthritis/Rheumatism across Europe) Congress 2022. The SARAA award was based on significant advances made by ASAS towards improving the quality of life of … Continue reading "Axial Spondyloarthritis Asso...

Mar 7, 2024

ReumaZorg

The National Association ReumaZorg Nederland is the national Dutch user-led patient organisation, that strives to make a difference in the lives of people with rheumatic and muscular diseases (RMDs). Having an RMD is a battle against a (lasting) disease, but also against pain, fatigue, loneliness and lack of understanding. Everyday people simply struggle to keep … Continue reading "ReumaZorg"...

Nov 26, 2023

AGORA Conference

Written by Andri Phoka, President of Agora and Trustee of ASIF AGORA is an umbrella platform representing patient organisations of people with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs) in Southern Europe. Each year our annual conference takes place in a different country hosted by one of our member associations. This year, the Association for Patients with Rheumatic … Continue reading "AG...

Nov 26, 2023

Introducing our new Members!

ASIF has recently gained six new members from Aruba, Brazil, Montenegro, Pakistan, Panama and The Netherlands. We are delighted to introduce Gruparj Petrópolis Institute from Brazil and Arthritis Care Foundation from Pakistan below. Gruparj Petrópolis Institute, Brazil Written by Wanda Heloisa Ferreira “Gruparj Petrópolis Institute completes 22 years of fulfilling its mission: to educate … Continue r...

Sep 11, 2023

Scandinavian Rheumatology Conference

Spafo Norway attended the Scandinavian Rheumatology Conference (SCR 2023) in Copenhagen in August. While there, they raised awareness of the challenges facing people living with axSpA, with rheumatologist, health care professionals and researchers. Read their Report ...

Jun 8, 2023

Member Spotlight: NASS

The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) in the United Kingdom recently launched Your SpAce, which has been created in partnership with people living with axSpA and healthcare professionals. Your SpAce allows people living with axSpA to engage with their condition, learn more about axSpA, and build skills to manage the impact it has on their … Continue reading "Member Spotlight...

LANGUAGES