What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis?

Difference: They are both rheumatologic conditions, however RA usually has detectable blood markers suggesting joint degeneration in specific patterns as a result of a hyperactive immune response. Ankylosing spondylitis is usually negative for blood markers, but associated with hla b27 antigen. It causes inflammation in the joints of the axial skeleton resulting in fusion of the sacroiliac and spinal segments.

Very different!: Completely different diseases, although both can occur in an individual. As is characterized by a much stronger familial disease pattern and is associated with the b27 gene! it causes sacroiliac arthritis and inflammation of the spine, has well as possible inflammation of the eye. Ra has much more of a symmetric pattern involving wrists, knuckles, smaller hand joints, knees, ankles, and feet!