One classic hypothesis has been that AS may start when the defenses of the intestines break down and certain bacteria pass into the bloodstream, triggering changes in the immune response. The association between ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-B27 varies greatly between ethnic and racial groups. Unlike other forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, general onset of AS commonly occurs in younger people, between the ages of 17 and However, it can also affect children and those who are much older.
The severity of AS varies greatly from person to person, and not everyone will experience the most serious complications or have spinal fusion. Some may experience only intermittent back pain and discomfort, while others may experience severe pain and stiffness over multiple areas of the body for long periods of time. AS can be debilitating and, in some cases, lead to disability. It is important to know that ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, or lifelong, disease and that the severity of AS has nothing to do with age or gender.
It can be just as severe in women and children as in men. Remember that even if you have AS and are experiencing only mild symptoms, which you are able to manage well, it is important to see your rheumatologist once a year in order to detect and treat any underlying complications. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis. Overview of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Print Friendly. From Genetics Home Reference. Description Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of ongoing joint inflammation chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine. Frequency Ankylosing spondylitis is part of a group of related diseases known as spondyloarthropathies. Causes Ankylosing spondylitis is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, most of which have not been identified.
Inheritance Although ankylosing spondylitis can occur in more than one person in a family, it is not a purely genetic disease. Research Studies from ClinicalTrials. References Brown MA. Breakthroughs in genetic studies of ankylosing spondylitis. Rheumatology Oxford. Epub Nov Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Part I. Arthritis Rheum.
HLA-B27 and its pathogenic role. J Clin Rheumatol. Polymorphism of HLA-B subtypes currently known. Curr Rheumatol Rep. Pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol. Ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility loci defined by genome-search meta-analysis. J Hum Genet. Epub Sep There's no cure for AS and it's not possible to reverse the damage caused by the condition. However, treatment is available to relieve the symptoms and help prevent or delay its progression.
Surgery is sometimes needed to repair significantly damaged joints or correct severe bends in the spine, but this is uncommon. Read about treating ankylosing spondylitis. The outlook for AS is highly variable. For some people the condition improves after an initial period of inflammation, whereas for others it can get progressively worse over time. However, some people eventually become severely disabled as a result of the bones in their spine fusing in a fixed position and damage to other joints, such as the hips or knees.
With modern treatments, AS does not normally affect life expectancy significantly, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems.
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