| Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis have all been linked to alterations in the intestinal microflora. |
| Some patients with ankylosing spondylitis develop arthritis in the hips and shoulders, frequently early in the course of the disease. |
| Genetic factors, infection and auto-immunity are thought to be contributory to the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. |
| The human leukocyte antigen-B27 allele is associated with spondyloarthropathies, especially ankylosing spondylitis. |
| Certain diseases like gout and ankylosing spondylitis are seen more frequently in men. |
| Patients with ankylosing spondylitis rarely if ever develop ventilatory failure without superimposed lung disease. |
