There is no such thing as which is more serious, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. If these two diseases are not treated in a standardized manner and allowed to develop, both of them may have serious complications, affecting the quality of life and shortening the survival period.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical involvement of small joints, often affecting the proximal interphalangeal joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, wrist joints, etc., with symptoms such as joint swelling, pain and morning stiffness. If the disease is not effectively controlled, joint deformity and muscle atrophy can gradually appear, leading to loss of joint function, and in the later stage, it can also be combined with the involvement of heart, lungs, kidneys and other vital organs, which affects life expectancy.
Ankylosing spine mainly infringes on the spine, sacroiliac joints, paraspinal soft tissues and peripheral joints. If the inflammation is not well controlled and the disease is repeatedly active, the patient may develop spinal ankylosis and deformity, and may be combined with impaired function of the eyes and the heart, and severe osteoporosis may occur in advanced cases, which seriously affects the patient’s work and life, and may even lead to disability.
Therefore, there is no rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis which is more serious, both diseases need early standardized treatment. If the patient has rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, it is recommended to consult the rheumatology and immunology department of regular hospitals as soon as possible to avoid delaying the condition.