Does ankylosing spondylitis have a genetic component?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Firstly, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease that primarily affects the axial joints, and this disease is incurable. It can only be managed with medications to control the progression of the disease, delay the appearance of joint deformities, and reduce disability. This is the main purpose of its treatment. The cause of the disease is also unclear, and it is somewhat related to genetics. If parents have it, the incidence in their children is significantly increased, and there is a phenomenon of familial aggregation. It cannot be considered a hereditary disease, but there is indeed a phenomenon of familial aggregation. Moreover, the incidence of the disease in children is much higher than in families without a history of the disease.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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How is ankylosing spondylitis treated?

The treatment of ankylosing spondylitis mainly consists of three types: The first is anti-inflammatory pain relief, primarily using non-steroidal pain relief medications, such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets. The second is the selection of disease control medications, mainly involving drugs like sulfasalazine tablets. For ankylosing spondylitis, the most effective and economically expensive treatment is biological agents therapy. We commonly use drugs such as tumor necrosis factor antagonists. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis during acute pain periods are advised not to engage in intense exercise. However, during remission periods, appropriate functional exercises are recommended to prevent the adhesion and stiffness of spinal joints.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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How to exercise with ankylosing spondylitis?

Once diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, after ruling out contraindications such as hepatitis B infection and tuberculosis, it is necessary to administer standard medications to improve rheumatic conditions. At the same time, it is necessary to develop good living habits, such as abstaining from alcohol, quitting smoking, and avoiding carbonated drinks and coffee, as these can exacerbate osteoporosis. Secondly, it is important to exercise regularly; one can walk slowly, run, or swim. Swimming is the best form of exercise for patients with ankylosing spondylitis as it can enhance the coordination of limb muscles while also delaying joint wear. Thirdly, it is important to maintain good posture and sleep on a hard bed.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The main symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is pain, characterized by pain in the lower back and lumbar region. The pain occurs during rest and diminishes with activity; it is especially severe at night, often waking the sufferer, who then finds mild activity alleviates the pain enough to return to sleep. As the disease progresses, chest pain and restricted rib cage movement begin, due to the disease spreading to the thoracic vertebrae and eventually reaching the cervical vertebrae in later stages, resulting in difficulty moving the neck. Early physical signs include tenderness in the sacroiliac joints and paraspinal muscles. X-rays can reveal that the sacroiliac joints are often the first to be affected, usually showing sacroiliitis. Additionally, there is a particularly high positivity rate for HLA-B27, the human leukocyte antigen B27, which can reach up to 90%, whereas it is typically around 4%-9% in the general population.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosis Methods

Ankylosing spondylitis is primarily characterized by involvement of the elbow joints, but it can also be accompanied by extra-articular manifestations such as iritis and pain in the heel, and severe cases may present with spinal stiffness and deformity. The cause of the disease is unclear, but studies suggest it is related to genetic and environmental factors, with a significant familial aggregation. Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical symptoms, blood tests including HLA-B27, and imaging such as CT or MRI of the sacroiliac joints to confirm inflammation or damage to these joints. To diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, these three criteria must be met. The most important factor is the presence of clinical symptoms that persist for more than three months, improve with activity, and do not significantly improve with rest. This is a typical characteristic of ankylosing spondylitis.

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Written by Sun Shu Jian
Orthopedics
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Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis mainly include insidious onset of pain and discomfort in the back and hip joints. The pain is often intermittent and worse at night. Patients frequently wake up at night due to back pain, which can be alleviated by slight movement. Therefore, when patients experience unexplained back and hip joint pain, it is necessary to determine whether ankylosing spondylitis could be a possibility. In the early stages, a sacroiliac joint CT scan and hematological examination can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, prompt standardized treatment is necessary. Generally, this can control synovial inflammation and pain, prevent deformities of the spine and joints, and help patients return to normal life and work.