Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, where the persons immune system attacks the target healthy connective tissues surrounding the joints in the body.

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) to fuse

Common signs and symptoms

• Fatigue.

• Fever.

• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body.

• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure.

• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods.