Anklosing Spondylitis in Nova Scotia awareness and diagnosing.

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More awareness and correct information needs to be brought to NS on Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is not well known here. There is alot of wrong information out there on the disease and it is hard to get a family doctor to refer you to a Rheumatalogist for diagnosing.   If you think you have Ankylosing spondylitis, do your research before going to your doctor. 

Ankylosing Spondylitis used to be considered a man’s disease. While recent research shows that men are somewhat more susceptible than women, the exact male to female ration needs to be clarified. In fact we now have some data to show the ratio is closer than once thought.

Another misconception is a blood test can diagnose it or rule it out. This is not so. Although blood work can help with diagnosing it cannot rule it out. Many genes come into play HLA-B27 is in 90% of people with AS but not in 10% of people with AS. New genes have been also identified that are common in AS diagnosed people. Research is still going.