Ankylosing Spondylitis Research, And The Difference Between AS And Sciatica

Ankylosing spondylitis research continues. AS is included in the group of diseases known as spondyloarthropathies. These diseases are currently being vigorously researched for new treatments. For example, the mechanism for the triggering of chronic inflammation by infectious agents is one area of investigation. Researchers are also at work on a study that will seek to develop a screening tool that can identify people at risk for AS.

Also, the characteristics of the HLA-B27 gene have been the object of much research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) enabled a multi-million dollar grant that coordinated collaboration among ten university medical centers and the Spondylitis Associaton of America (SAA), all working to identify the genetic causes of AS. Data was collected from 400 families with sibling pairs who both have AS. Using this data, researchers, led by John D. Reveille, M.D., were able to discover seven chromosomes that contribute to the cause of ankylosing spondylitis. The next phase of the research is to learn exactly which genes determine the onset and severity of ankylosing spondylitis.

Results of all this research will lead to a better understanding and treatment of ankylosing spondylitits and all the spondyloarthropathies.

Is There a Difference Between Sciatica and Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Sometimes, some symptoms of AS can resemble those of a condition called sciatica. The main symptom of sciatica is pain in the lower back or hip that radiates down from your buttock to the back of one thigh and into the leg, usually caused by a herniated or bulged disk pressing on the sciatic nerve, which runs down the leg. Usually the condition will heal itself given the proper treatment.

It is true that ankylosing spondylitis can sometimes involve pain running through the buttock and down the leg, mimicking sciatica, but it's of a different nature, emanating from the sacroiliac, and will not heal itself, although, along with other symptoms of AS, it will frequently go into remission for periods of time.

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