What is anklosing spondilitis?

Arthritis: A form of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine, sacroiliac and other joints. The disease can cause some of the vertebrae to fuse making the spine less flexible.

An arthritis: This is commonly associated with an antigen termed hla-b27 which can be detected in a blood sample. Males have a higher incidence, and aside from spinal fusion (ankylosis), other joints can be affected, the eye can get inflammed (iritis) and the aortic valve can be compromised.