Abstract: Objective: To systematically integrate the disease experience of patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), employing Meta-synthesis method to provide scientific basis for improving patients' life quality. Methods: Qualitative studies on the experience of patients with AS were searched from databases establishment to April 26th, 2022. The articles were retrieved then assessed using the Australian JBI Evidence-based Health Care Centre quality assessment criteria and the results were analyzed and integrated. Results: In the end, 7 articles were enrolled with 22 original topics being extracted to form 9 new categories which were integrated into 3 overall results, including patients' perception of disease, patients' coping with disease, patients' desire for support and understanding. Conclusion: Since AS patients often undergo complex physiological and psychological experience, nursing staff and families are supposed to pay more attention to the changes in patients' perception of disease and their corresponding coping strategies, and provide thorough support and understanding to encourage them to establish healthy behaviors to promote their recovery.

Key words: Ankylosing Spondylitis; disease experience; qualitative research; Meta-synthesis