b27 disease

HI. I’m 50 years old. I know that ankylosing spondylitis runs in may family – my father and grandfather had it as well as some other close relatives. Now, the thing is that I have scoliosis and some back pain and I’m very curious what are the odds of me having ankylosing spondylitis as well? Thanks for all answers.

If ankylosing spondylitis (AS) runs in your family, the chances of you having it too are about 20% if you’re under 40 and much lower (down to 5%) if you’re over 40. As you mentioned that you were 50, I guess that chance that you would get AS is very small. The disease usually begins between the ages of 20 and 40 so that is another statistics data in your favoure. Also, note that having the gene for AS does not necessarily mean that you’ll have the disease. Unlike other genetic diseases, AS isn’t caused by having a broken gene and it is enough just to have it. The gene associated with AS is responsible for proteins creating code HLA-B27 which is why this disease is also known as B27 disease. If you want to be sure weather you have it (or if you’ll get it), you can be tested for HLA-B27. If you don’t have the gene you most likely won’t get AS