500,000 in Kerala have ankylosing spondylitis

The variant of rheumatoid arthritis causes long-term inflammation of the joints of the spine

The Kerala Assembly was informed yesterday that five lakh people suffer from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the state and a detailed survey would be done to identify and treat these patients.

Even though the cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not known, it has been identified as a variant of rheumatoid arthritis in which there is a longterm inflammation of the joints of the spine.

This issue was brought before the House by CPI-M legislator Murali Perunelli who explained how 29-year-old offbeat filmmaker Sijo Kannanaikkal, whose recent film Kathakali won appreciation across the globe, was suffering from this ailment.

Kannanaikkal calls the movie a “reflection” of his life.

“I know him for several years and he has been suffering from this disease for a long time. I was a bit taken aback when he came to meet me and asked if I could take up this issue in the assembly. He looked more slouched than before and said he was not able to stand straight,” said Perunelli.

Perunelli said there are about 500,000 people in Kerala suffering from this ailment and the treatment is very expensive.

“Even though there are painkiller injections available, they are very expensive and beyond the reach of many, as in a year such patients have to take four injections, costing Rs100,000 lakh each. This treatment facility is not available in all the state-run facilities,” said Perunelli.