A national campaign has been launched to raise awareness of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a type of inflammatory arthritis which primarily affects the spine.

'Back In Play' highlights the symptoms of AS that can differentiate it from other types of back pain.

AS symptoms, typically low back pain and stiffness, are often misdiagnosed as common back pain, which means it can take a long time for the condition to be diagnosed properly. Symptoms typically start in the late teens and early 20s.

The initiative is being launched by Pfizer Healthcare in association with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Association of Ireland (ASAI).

Dr Alan Byrne of the FAI said AS can often be overlooked or confused with sports injuries or common back pain.

Seoirse Smith of ASAI said she believes she had AS foralmost 15 yers before she received an accurate diagnosis.

"If there had been better awareness of the condition perhaps I would have been diagnosed earlier."

Treatment options for AS include exercise, hydrotherapy, and drug treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or newer biologic agents.

Read more about AS here