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TASC Genetic Study Uncovers
Two New Genes Implicated In Ankylosing Spondylitis
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Biologicals in Ankylosing
Spondylitis In
recent years molecular boiology has provided
powerful new treatment tools
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| Richmond Virginia: Spondylitis Association of America (SAA)
sponsored Support Group. |
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Welcome, to those of
you who are newly diagnosed or have lived with
ankylosing spondylitis (AS) for a number of years. The
Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) is a non-profit
organization and is the first and remains the largest
resource for people affected by ankylosing spondylitis
and related diseases. Through
their efforts, they have helped advance education,
research and treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
and related diseases. Literally thousands of people
visit this site seeking information, support and most of
all, hope. For over 20 years SAA has dedicated all of
its resources to help improve the lives of people coping
with ankylosing spondylitis.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Background
Within this site you will find information and resources
on ankylosing spondylitis (ANK-ki-low-sing
spon-di-LIE-tis) discussing diagnosis, treatment options
and management of the disease. Our mission is to provide
information, support and to empower those affected with
ankylosing spondylitis or related conditions to
individuals in the Richmond area. The monthly meetings
are friendly and informal and all interested individuals
are welcome. Join us at the meetings to share information
and meet others who have similar experiences
living with ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the
spine. It causes swelling between your vertebrae, which
are the disks that make up your spine, and in the joints
between your spine and pelvis. Other conditions
associated with AS include reactive arthritis, Reiter’s
syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, spondylitis of
inflammatory bowel disease, and undifferentiated
spondyarthropathy. Ankylosing spondylitis is an
autoimmune disease. This means your immune system, which
normally protects your body from infection, attacks your
body's own tissues.
There is no direct test to diagnose AS. A clinical
examination and X-ray studies of the spine, which show
characteristic spinal changes and sacroiliitis, are the
major diagnostic tools. A drawback of X-ray diagnosis is
that signs and symptoms of AS have usually been
established as long as 8-10 years prior to X-ray evident
changes occurring on a plain film X-ray, which means a
delay of as long as 10 years before adequate therapies
can be introduced. During acute inflammatory periods, AS
patients will usually show an increase in the blood
concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) and an
increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
The exact cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis is unknown.
However, research indicates that hereditary factors play
an important role since these illnesses tend to occur
more often in family members of patients who have
spondyloarthritis. Nearly 1% of the population has AS;
however, 20% of AS sufferers have a relative with the
disorder. These patients usually share common
genetic markers. In 1973 the association between AS and
the gene HLA-B27 was found. HLA-B27, occurs in about
seven percent of the general population but 90-95% of
individuals with AS. In 2007, two new genes have been
identified to be associated with ankylosing spondylitis.
A Brief History
Ankylosing Spondylitis has a long history. Egyptian
mummies have been found with ankylosing changes to their
skeleton. (ie Amenhotep II (Pharaoh in 1439-1413 BC) ,
Rameses the Great (1298-1232 BC) and his son Merneptah).
However it was not until 1893-1898 when Vladimir
Bechterev in Russia, Adolph Strümpel in Germany and
Pierre Marie in France gave descriptions which allowed a
diagnosis to be made prior to severe spinal deformity.
For this reason the condition has been referred to as
Marie–Strümpel or Bekhterev Disease.
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