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| Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease which affects collagen structures, specifically the joints between the vertebrae of the spine. The gene is present in 8% of white Americans and 2-3% of African Americans. A gene called HLA-B27 that is present in over 90% of people with ankylosing spondylitis; of those who inherit the gene, 10-15% will fall victim to the condition. Similarly, the bones in the chest may fuse, causing a loss of normal chest expansion when breathing. The hips, shoulders, knees, or ankles also may become inflamed and painful and eventually lose their mobility. It can cause fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue, and it can damage other organs besides the joints, such as the lungs, heart and eyes. If symptoms or X-rays suggest ankylosing spondylitis but the diagnosis is uncertain, your doctor may perform a blood test to check for the HLA-B27 gene. |
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