Ankylosing Spondylitis: ætiology

Abstract

We know that ankylosing spondylitis occurs more frequently in men and its onset is primarily in the young. It shows a familial aggregation and is associated with diseases such as Reiter's syndrome, ulcerative colitis and other bowel conditions. It also occurs more frequently in patients with psoriatic arthritis. It is tempting to suggest that in patients predisposed to ankylosing spondylitis the occurrence of a disease such as Reiter's syndrome initiates the spondylitis. It is possible, however, that conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis are all genetically determined, and are linked together. © 1966, The Royal Society of Medicine. All rights reserved.