A Designer’s Perspective on Ankylosing Spondylitis and its Impact on Quality of Life

The onset of symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) generally occurs between 20-40 years of age, which is the most active stage of any professional. The onset of symptoms beyond the age of 50 is less than 4%, so the target population is relatively younger than most of the chronic cases. For some, the condition might not have any implication at all but for a majority, it compromises the quality of life. With limited to no cure, non-pharmacological interventions are one of the predominant treatment methods for AS. The paper explores the human factors involved in the long-term management of AS and provides ergonomic recommendations for minimizing the impact of AS on the patient and society. Probing into ideal working conditions for a general population suffering from AS. The workplace management and design specifically for an AS patient is the sought goal of the research.