Читать книгу Arthritis For Dummies - Barry Fox - Страница 104

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) attacks and inflames the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons of the spine. The back becomes stiff and sore and as the disease progresses, its ligaments and tendons can become more like bone tissue, forming bony bridges between the vertebrae and locking them into place. In more severe cases, AS can turn the spine into an unbending rod, although the disease usually doesn’t advance to that point. Figure 4-2 shows the difference between a normal spine and one with AS.

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FIGURE 4-2: Normal vertebrae compared to those with ankylosing spondylitis.

AS currently affects some 300,000 Americans, with its favorite targets being Caucasian men between the ages of 16 and 35. The disease often runs in families and has been linked to a certain genetic marker (HLA-B27), although 80 percent of those with this gene never develop the disease. Something else (perhaps an infection) is undoubtedly triggering it.