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World AS Day is an annual day dedicated to people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). It is celebrated across the world on the first Saturday of May.
Our members and supporters organise activities around the world to raise awareness of axial spondyloarthritis and related conditions.
This year's World AS Day theme is Signs and Symptoms
Axial spondyloarthritis - or axSpA - is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips, and buttocks. Unlike other types of back pain, the pain and stiffness improve with movement and get worse with rest. Symptoms of axSpA typically first emerge between the age of 20 and 45.
Focusing on signs and symptoms for World AS Day 2024 is crucial because early recognition and understanding of these indicators can significantly impact the lives of individuals affected. Signs and symptoms of axSpA may be mistaken for other conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. By emphasising this theme, we aim to educate patients, the public and healthcare professionals about the key red flags associated with axSpA, such as persistent back pain, stiffness, and fatigue.
Increased awareness can expedite diagnosis, enabling timely intervention and management, ultimately improving the quality of life for those living with axSpA. Through this year's theme, we hope to empower individuals to recognise potential symptoms, seek early medical attention, and foster a supportive community that understands and addresses the challenges of axial spondyloarthritis.
Watch this sketch animation highlighting the key signs and symptoms of axSpA, including some of the lesser-known ones, to find out more.
Could I have axSpA?
Hover over each prompt for more information
Click over each prompt for more information
It is a painful, progressive, and chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease causing significant back pain and stiffness, primarily in your lower back, buttocks and hips.
If you have experienced pain which gets better with movement and worse with rest for more than three months, and you suffer fatigue, please find out more about axSpA here.
Symptoms often start before the age of 45.
Does rest make it worse?
Are you beyond tired - would fatigue be a better description?
Did it start before your 45th birthday (it can start later).
Check out our symptom checker and find out if you could have axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
Find out more here
Axial spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips and buttocks. The pain and stiffness improve with movement but not with rest and sufferers can experience significant fatigue. These symptoms may have started before the age of 45. If you have had these symptoms for more than three months - contact your family doctor.
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips and buttocks. The pain and stiffness improve with movement but not with rest and sufferers can experience significant fatigue.
If you’ve experienced this type of pain for more than three months, check your symptoms in our Symptom Checker.
Find out more here
AxSpA is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips and buttocks.
People living with axSpA can experience many other conditions.
Our discussion guide can help you prepare for your appointment.
Find out more at here
Българско сдружение на болните от болест на Бехтерев
(Bulgarian Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Society)
ENGLISH
National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society in UK
Canadian Spondylitis Association
CaRE Arthritis
FRENCH
Société suisse de la spondylarthrite ankylosante
(Swiss Association of Ankylosing Spondylitis)
Schweizerische Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew
(Swiss Association of Ankylosing Spondylitis)
JAPANESE
日本ASクラブ
(Japan AS Club)
NORWEGIAN
Spafo Norge Spondyloartrittforbundet
(Spondylitis Association of Norway)
If you are a healthcare professional
Think axSpA.
Have they complained about feeling fatigued?
Has the pain in their lower back, buttocks and hips lasted for more than three months? Does it get worse with rest but better with exercise?
Could they have axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)?
If you think it could be, please recommend they talk to their family doctor about axSpA. Your advice could save them from a delay in diagnosis causing irreversible damage.
Help us raise awareness about axSpA!
Hover over each prompt for more information
Click over each prompt for more information
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips, and buttocks. The pain and stiffness improve with movement but not with rest and sufferers can experience significant fatigue. If your symptoms have lasted for more than three months, talk to your primary care doctor about axSpA.
Share to raise awareness.
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips, and buttocks. The pain and stiffness improve with movement but not with rest and sufferers can experience extreme fatigue.
If that sounds like you and your symptoms have lasted for more than three months, talk to your primary care doctor about axSpA.
Share to raise awareness.
Axial spondyloarthritis - or axSpA - is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips, and buttocks. Unlike other types of back pain, the pain and stiffness improve with movement and gets worse with rest. Sufferers can experience extreme fatigue and may have noticed their symptoms appearing slowly over a period of years, often starting before the age of 45.
If that sounds like you and your symptoms have lasted for more than three months, talk to your primary care doctor about axSpA.
Share to raise awareness.
Each year organisations and patients from all over the world take part in raising awareness for World AS Day in their local communities but also online. You can see a list of events below.
Follow our Social Media channels and visit this page to stay up to date with new events as they are confirmed.
Hosting an event? Contact us with all the details via this form and we will add it to the list for eveyone to know and join!
SAA’s 2024 Global Spondyloarthritis Summit
Online Event
Summit
by SAA
3-4 May
Johannesburg Regional Get Together
In Person
Walk
by AXSPASA
4 May 10:00h
All Day Charity & Awareness Program
In Person
Pardel
by ASASA
5 May 08:30h
VII Jornada de Espondilitis Anquilosante
In Person
Charla divulgativa con diferentes profesionales
by AFAea
4 May 10:00h-13:00h
Chronic Pain Club - World AS Day Special!
Online
Webinar
by ASIF
28 April 19:00h-20:00h BST
World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day 2024
Online
Expert talk, patient experiences & discussion
by Dr. Ashit Syngle
4 May 11:00h IST
Una visión actualizada de la ESPONDILITIS ANQUILOSANTE
Online
SPA, coberturas, Chile, Ley Ricarte Soto, biológicos
by Chilean Network of Rheumatic Patients
3 June 20:00h UTC-4
Following previous year’s campaigns, World AS Day 2024 uses the same dots style to support the campaign. This year the dots are an orange border to symbolise the sign itself.
We encourage you to use these downloadable materials to raise awareness.
World AS Day 2024 logo
Toolkit
Website and email banners
Social Media Assets
Make your own sign!
Make your own sign! Our 1 minute video shows you how to make your own sign. Take a photo and post it on social media with #WorldASDay2024 to let everyone know that you are raising awareness for axSpA!
Be present on Social Media
Raise awareness by sharing our social media posts, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Tiktok - remember to use #WorldASDay2024. Feel free to react and duet our content on Tiktok as well! We love to see how creative you can be.
Get in touch with your local patient organisation
Contact your local patient organisation to see what they are planning on World AS Day, get involved and join their events if possible.
Join an event or host your own
Check out the list of in person and online events. Organising an event? Let us know using our form and don’t forget to let everyone know on social media using #WorldASDay2024.
Use World AS Day 2024 Resources
Download our resources and share the campaign with your local community.
The 6th Annual Global Spondyloarthritis (SpA) Summit, hosted by the Spondyloarthritis Association of America (SAA), will be held virtually on 3-4 May. ASIF partners annually with SAA on this patient-focused educational event.
Under the theme “Sharing Knowledge, Building Community,” this year’s two-day summit features presentations from experts in the spondyloarthritis community. For the first time, the event will also include breakout sessions—virtual meetings where attendees can share experiences, discuss issues, and learn from one another. As always, registration is free and open to all.
The program includes:
- Mainstage educational presentations on topics such as Minimizing Fatigue and Strain; Precision Medicine and the Potential of Tailored Treatments for SpA; The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Future SpA Treatments, and more!
- Movement demonstrations focusing on Gentle Stretch and The Feldenkrais Method of Meditative Movement.
- Breakout sessions with skilled facilitators leading attendee discussions in topics such as Words of Wisdom for the Newly Diagnosed; Energy Conservation and Managing Fatigue; and Developing Mental and Emotional Resilience.
The presentations will be available in English and Spanish.
We strongly encourage our members to promote this highly educational, valuable program to their membership.
Learn more about the Global SpA Summit here. More details to follow!
Join the SAA in taking on Walk Your AS Off during May!
Walked before?
Previous participants can simply log back into the website where their account will be waiting for them to start logging their steps.
If you are new to Walk Your AS Off...
Should you walk with us? Yes! Most people with spondylitis benefit from regular exercise. And remember all exercise counts and can be converted to steps to be logged. Whether it’s work around the house or garden, yoga, or cycling, it can all be converted!
If you have a question or want to share your plans, please get in touch by emailing communicationsmanager@asif.info