Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
Resources
About MySpondylitisTeam
Powered By
See answer

What Causes Spondylitis?

Medically reviewed by Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A.
Written by Kelly Crumrin
Updated on July 20, 2021

Spondylitis (also called axial spondyloarthritis or axSpA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and other tissues in the same way it would normally fight viruses or bacteria.

The specific cause of spondylitis is unknown, although it likely involves both hereditary and environmental factors.

People under age 45 are more likely to develop spondylitis than those older. Onset is most often in the 20s or 30s.

Risk Factors for Spondylitis

It is important to note that while science is good at finding correlations, or apparent relationships, between factors and disease, correlation does not prove that the risk factor causes the disease. Many risk factors for spondylitis have been identified and are being studied, but none have been pinpointed as the cause of spondylitis.

Hereditary Risk Factors

If you have a parent or sibling with spondylitis, your risk for developing spondylitis is three times higher than for someone with no relatives who have spondylitis. The risk for the general population to develop spondylitis is only 1 percent, so the risk of someone with a close family member with spondylitis is still only 3 percent. Amongst identical twins, if one twin has spondylitis, the other twin has approximately a 50 percent chance of developing the disease. For this reason, most researchers agree that genetic and environmental factors both contribute to the cause of spondylitis.

More than 60 genes have been identified as playing a role in spondylitis risk. One gene, HLA-B27, is present in many people who are diagnosed with spondylitis. HLA-B27 is a more influential risk factor for spondylitis in people of some ethnicities. HLA-B27 is found in:

  • 95 percent of those of European descent who are diagnosed with spondylitis
  • 80 percent of those of Mediterranean descent with the disease
  • 50 percent of those of African descent who have spondylitis

Testing positive for HLA-B27 does not mean that you will definitely develop spondylitis. Only about 2 percent of those with the gene are diagnosed with axSpA.

Research has shown that men are twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with axSpa. However, researchers now believe that the condition may be frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in women, compared to men.

Did you inherit the HLA-B27 gene? See if you’re at risk of spondylitis.

Environmental Risk Factors

Most researchers do not believe that genetics alone determine who gets spondylitis. However, research has not yet identified which environmental factors play a role in causing the disease. Some evidence indicates that bacterial infections, especially those affecting the gastrointestinal system, may trigger an inflammatory reaction that develops into spondylitis. A similar theory suggests that spondylitis develops when there is an imbalance in the bacteria colonizing the intestines. Smoking is also theorized to increase the risk for developing spondylitis.

Condition Guide

A MySpondylitisTeam Member

🤗🤗🙏🙏

October 18, 2023
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.

You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Subscribe now to ask your question, get answers, and stay up to date on the latest articles.

Get updates directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Privacy Policy

Est Ce Que La Spondylartrite Et Fibromyalgie Sont Similaires

January 29, 2024 by A MySpondylitisTeam Member 2 answers

With Cervical Spondylitis Does The Mouth Gets Bitter And The Ear And Jaws Pain

March 22, 2024 by A MySpondylitisTeam Member 5 answers

I Now Have Uveitis In Both Eyes And Have Referral To A Specialist Next Month. Anyone Else Have Info That Could Help Me Understand It?

May 23, 2024 by A MySpondylitisTeam Member 6 answers

I Get Headaches Pretty Much Daily, And Nightly. I Do Not See Headaches Mentioned At All In Symptom Lists Though I Have Neck Pain, Back, Kne

August 28, 2024 by A MySpondylitisTeam Member 4 answers

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more: