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+--- Thread: Ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis criteria (/Thread-Ankylosing-spondylitis-diagnosis-criteria)
Ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis criteria - KeithD - 05-02-2023
The criteria for diagnosing Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) can vary depending on the medical practitioner, however, the following are commonly used criteria:
- Symptoms: Persistent lower back pain, stiffness and tenderness in the lower back, hips, or buttocks.
- Clinical findings: Presence of symptoms such as stiffness or pain in the lower back, hips or buttocks, especially after periods of inactivity or rest.
- Imaging: X-rays or other imaging studies showing characteristic changes in the spine, such as fusion of the vertebral bones or loss of normal curvature.
- Laboratory tests: Tests for markers of inflammation, such as elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP).
- HLA-B27 testing: Approximately 85% of people with AS carry the HLA-B27 gene, but having the gene does not guarantee a diagnosis.
A definitive diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis typically requires a combination of clinical, imaging and laboratory results. The criteria for diagnosis may also evolve over time as more information becomes available.