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Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Last updated Friday, February 11, 2005

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Diagnosis and evaluation

How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?

Doctors usually base their diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis on symptoms (pain, stiffness) and X-rays showing inflammation of the sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis.

What tests may be used to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis?

If your symptoms or X-rays suggest ankylosing spondylitis, but the diagnosis is uncertain, your doctor may perform a blood test to check you for the HLA-B27 gene. About 90 percent of people diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis do test positive for this gene.

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