Ankylosing Spondylitis; Symptoms, Treatments, Causes And More

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.