A variation in several genes may increase your risk of AS.
AS can occur in more than one family member.
Read on to learn more about the genetic factors of AS and how it is diagnosed and treated.
supersizer / Getty Images
supersizer / Getty Images
How Many People Live With AS?
AS affects an estimated one in 1,000 people in the United States.
How Likely Is AS to Be Inherited?
Microbial infections may also be a trigger for the development of AS.
Researchers also are exploring whether sex hormones contribute to the development of AS.
Symptoms can include:
Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms generally start before middle age.
Surgery may be recommended if joint damage is severe and everyday activities are nearly impossible.
Prognosis
The severity of AS symptoms and the way the disease progresses can vary among individuals.
Early diagnosis and treatment may decrease the chances of joint damage.
AS is a chronic, lifelong disease.
It cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed.
Its important to see your treatment team regularly, even if your symptoms are under control.
Summary
AS is a chronic condition that can be painful and even debilitating.
Accurate diagnosis is important so that it can be appropriately treated and managed.
There is a strong genetic component to AS, although it is not the only potential cause.
Other possible causes include microbial, immunological, and hormonal factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
There is a genetic component to AS, but it is not the only potential cause of AS.
Multiple factors may be involved, and a definitive, single cause is not known at this time.
Harvard Health Publishing.Ankylosing spondylitis.
2016 May;68(5):1057-9. doi:10.1002/art.39566
MedlinePlus.ERAP1 gene.
Spondylitis Association of America.Overview of ankylosing spondylitis.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis.
