Is ankylosing spondylitis hereditary?
Disease description:
Because of back discomfort, I went to the hospital for an examination and was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Is this condition hereditary?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Ankylosing spondylitis has a genetic predisposition, but it is not necessarily inherited.
Ankylosing spondylitis is closely associated with human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27). Approximately 90% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis carry the HLA-B27 gene, compared to only 6%-8% in the general population. However, not all individuals who carry this gene will develop the disease. Carrying the HLA-B27 gene does not guarantee the development of ankylosing spondylitis, as environmental factors and other genes may also influence disease onset.
Therefore, ankylosing spondylitis has a certain genetic tendency and shows significant familial clustering. If someone in the family has ankylosing spondylitis, other family members have a higher risk of developing the condition compared to the general population.
Environmental factors, infections, and other triggers may also contribute to the onset of the disease.
