_____ is a systemic, usually progressive inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spinal column.
A) Scleroderma
B) Wiskott-Aldrich's syndrome
C) Polymyositis
D) AS

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

AS commonly affects young men. It is several times more common in men than in women. Clinical findings include back pain and stiffness, joint pain with limitation of motion, positive family history, and mildly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C reactive protein. The HLA-B27 antigen is present in blood testing of nearly 90% of Caucasian individuals with AS. Characteristic x-ray findings are noted years after the onset and include bilateral sacroiliitis, "squaring" of the vertebrae, fusion of joints, and generalized osteoporosis. These changes produce the classic appearance of a "bamboo spine."

_____ Is a Systemic, Usually Progressive Inflammatory Disease Primarily Affecting