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 this condition. The disease affects men more often than women. Symptoms may start in adolescence and are usually present by age 30. In some people, it can cause significant pain and disability for many years.
Arthritis research scientists do not know the exact cause or causes of ankylosing spondylitis. They do think that it 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
Researchers have identified a number of factors that increase a person's chances of developing the condition.
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 risk factors for the condition include:
- Having a family history of ankylosing spondylitis
- Being male
- Having certain genetic factors
- Being an adolescent or young adult
- Having certain infections.
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