This Society comprising members of the board of directors and a rheumatologist started its activity in 1990 and it received its official permit from the Interior Ministry in 1993.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive and painful disease that affects joints of the spine and it is usually mistaken by intervertebral disc herniation. This disease usually starts when the patient is 18 to 20 years old. It is at this age that symptoms of the disease gradually become visible. The appearance of symptoms of this disease as of forty years old is quite rare. As compared with women, men are affected by this disease nine folds more. In Iran, it is roughly estimated that more than 500000 individuals are affected by AS. The main cause of AS is not known but the genetic background is considered as one of its causes.
Presently Ms. Farzaneh Fattahi is acting as the President of the AS Society Board of Directors.