Ankylosing Spondylitis; Symptoms, Treatments, Causes And More

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), sometimes called Marie-Strumpell disease is an inflammatory rheumatic disease. The condition mainly hits the lower spine but can also affect the hips, shoulders, knees, chest and other areas of the body as well. AS affects up to 0.1 percent of the world's population, and men develop the condition three times more often than women. While individuals all over the globe are diagnosed with AS, the disease is more prevalent in Caucasian males. There is no specific cure for the disease, but treatment may prevent the progression of AS.

Symptoms Associated With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Typically, the spine is the central area affected by AS. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital report up to twenty-five percent of cases involve peripheral joints including the shoulders, knees, and the hips. Severe symptoms may cause debilitating pain and bone fusion. Kyphosis, a rigid and curved spine may also develop without proper treatment. Uveitis, or inflammation of the eye, has also been reported in twenty-five percent of the population diagnosed with AS and is often seen as a precursor several years before the onset of the disease. Patients with uveitis report pain, light sensitivity, and excessive tears. Up to ten percent of those coping with AS will develop spondylitic heart disease, which includes aortic insufficiency.

What Are The Causes Of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is still unclear, but researchers have determined a link between the genetic marker HLA-B27 and AS. Although there is direct evidence of a correlation between HLA-B27, most people with the gene, including the majority of the Caucasian population, do not develop AS. At least sixty other genes have been identified as markers for the disease, including ERAP 1, IL-12 and IL-23. Some environmental factors may also play a role in the development of the disorder. One hypothesis proposes a link between bacterial infections that may trigger an immune response. Researchers are even trying to understand why AS affects various racial and ethnics groups differently.