What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the lower back. It can, however, affect other areas of the body. This includes the hips, shoulders, and knees as well as the tendons and ligaments around the bones and joints.
Approximately 350,000 people in the United States have ankylosing spondylitis. The disease affects men more often than women. Symptoms of the disease may start in adolescence and are usually present by age 30. In some people, ankylosing spondylitis can cause significant pain and disability for many years.
Cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Arthritis research scientists do not know the exact cause or causes of ankylosing spondylitis. They do think that ankylosing spondylitis is caused by a combination of environmental, genetic, and immune system factors. At this point, however, they aren't sure how these factors tie together.
Risk Factors for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Research scientists have identified a number of factors that increase a person's chances of developing ankylosing spondylitis. These are known as ankylosing spondylitis risk factors. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. Having risk factors does not guarantee that a person will develop ankylosing spondylitis; it just increases his or her chances for developing it.
Some ankylosing spondylitis risk factors include:
- Having a family history of ankylosing spondylitis
- Being male
- Having certain genetic factors
- Being an adolescent or young adult
- Having certain infections.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print