Who Gets Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, but can also involve other joints and organs. It is a chronic condition that can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation. AS most commonly affects young adults, and is more prevalent in men than women.

Risk Factors for Ankylosing Spondylitis:

- Age: AS typically begins between the ages of 17 and 45, but it can occur at any age.

- Gender: Men are more likely to develop AS than women.

- Family history: People with a family history of AS, or other types of inflammatory arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are at an increased risk of developing AS.

- Certain genetic markers: Certain genes, particularly the HLA-B27 gene, have been associated with an increased risk of developing AS.

- Environmental factors: Some environmental factors, such as smoking and certain infections, may also contribute to the development of AS.

It is important to note that having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that you will definitely develop AS. AS is a complex condition that is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.