ObjectiveTo understand the self management status of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsSixty inpatients and outpatients with AS in the Department of Rheumatology between December 2011 and December 2012 were selected as the study subjects by judgment sampling method. A self-made questionnaire was used for investigation. ResultsThe self-management skills of 10.0% of the patients were poor, 78.3% were moderate and 11.7% were fine. The self-management skills of functional training and keeping healthy lifestyle were relatively poor. The factors with a score from the highest to the lowest were:the mental self-management, symptom management, keeping healthy lifestyle, and the self-management of functional training. ConclusionsThe self-management skills of patients with ankylosing spondylitis range from moderate to relatively poor. Our results suggest that cultural factors and the course of disease may be the main influence factors for self-management skills of patients. Clinical medical personnel should know the situation of patients sufficiently, improve the processes of health education and take corresponding intervention measures to the lack of self management ability. By the above ways, we can improve the compliance obedience and the self-management skills of patients, then the patients' condition and living quality will be greatly improved.