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Ankylosing spondylitis

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* Not a rare disease
Other Names for this Disease
  • Ankylosing spondyloarthritis
More Names
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Overview


Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the spine. It causes swelling between the vertebrae and in the joints between the spine and pelvis. This autoimmune disease is more common and more severe in men than in women.[1][2] It is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, most of which have not yet been identified. Researchers have found variations in several genes that influence the risk of developing this disorder. These genes include HLA-B, ERAP1, IL1A, and IL23R.[3] Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include back pain and stiffness. These problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis can fuse the vertebrae together, limiting movement. Symptoms can worsen, improve, or stop altogether. The disease has no cure, but medicines can relieve the pain, swelling and other symptoms. Exercise can also help.[1]

References

  1. Ankylosing Spondylitis. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ankylosingspondylitis.html. Accessed November 25, 2009.
  2. Borigini MJ. Ankylosing spondylitis. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000420.htm. Accessed November 25, 2009.
  3. Ankylosing spondylitis. Genetics Home Reference (GHR). http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=ankylosingspondylitis. Accessed November 25, 2009.
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General Information

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Ankylosing spondylitis. Click on the link to go to GHR and review the information.
  • MayoClinic.com provides information about ankylosing spondylitis. Click on the link above to access this information.
  • MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.  Click on the link to read information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Ankylosing spondylitis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
  • The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Ankylosing spondylitis. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.