No, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) doesn't directly turn into multiple sclerosis (MS), but they are both autoimmune diseases that can sometimes occur in the same person (comorbidities) or share similar pathways, with some neurological issues in AS potentially mimicking MS symptoms, though MRI findings usually help differentiate them. Both involve T-cell dysregulation (Th17 pathway), and rare cases of MS developing in AS patients exist, suggesting shared autoimmune roots, not transformation.
Stage 4 is the last stage of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). During this phase, AS may cause fusion of the vertebrae in the spine, significantly reducing spinal flexibility and range of motion.
Conclusion: Although MS can be associated with many autoimmune diseases, coexistence with AS is very rare. Although the individual pathogenesis of both diseases is unknown, when they develop together, the most likely mechanism is T-cell-mediated autoimmunity.
July 18, 2025
A new peer-reviewed study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology suggests that ivarmacitinib, a new medication known as a selective JAK1 inhibitor, may be a promising treatment for people with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
Testing for HLA-B27 may be carried out if AS is suspected. However, this test is not a very reliable method of diagnosing AS because some people can have the HLA-B27 gene variant but not have the condition, and some people can have the condition but do not have the gene variant.
"B27 disease" occurs in individuals who have ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or preankylosing spondylitis and/or uveitis and are also positive for HLA-B27.
Introduction. Seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a family of rheumatologic disorders that classically include[1]: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associated arthritis.
A. Ovchinnikov. Seniprutug is the world's first drug that has the potential not only to relieve the symptoms of the disease, but also to stop its progression. «Our development for ankylosing spondylitis is based on a completely new principle of drug action.
For long-term treatment, biologics are generally considered safer than prolonged steroid use. While steroids work quickly to reduce inflammation, they can cause serious side effects when used long-term, including: Bone loss and increased fracture risk. Weight gain and swelling.
Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis. A rheumatologist is commonly the type of physician who will diagnose ankylosing spondylitis (AS), since they are doctors who are specially trained in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, and bones.
Neuromyelitis optica is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, or is seen as a type of MS . But NMO is a different condition. Neuromyelitis optica can cause blindness, weakness in the legs or arms, and painful spasms.
Three key warning signs of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often involve vision problems (like blurred vision or pain with eye movement), numbness or tingling sensations, and fatigue, along with balance issues, weakness, and coordination difficulties, though symptoms vary widely and can include cognitive or bladder problems too.
Around 80% of MS patients develop spinal cord lesions [3,4] which, more often than brain lesions, are symptomatic and can cause significant impairment such as disturbances in ambulation, coordination, bladder and bowel function.
HLA-B27 positivity alone is not life‑threatening. Most carriers never develop disease, but it increases risk for inflammatory conditions (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, uveitis) that can cause chronic pain, functional problems, and rare complications if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment lower risks.
If an X-ray cannot confirm AS, you'll usually be offered an MRI scan. If the MRI scan shows inflammation of the sacroiliac joints you'll be diagnosed with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. This is another type of axial spondyloarthritis. Sometimes inflammation does not show up on an X-ray or an MRI scan.
Ankylosing spondylitis is more severe than other forms of arthritis because it primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to significant pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Unlike rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, AS causes chronic inflammation and long-term joint damage.
Association with biologics. There have been reports of patients presenting with manifestations of MS while on inflixamab and etanercept therapy. In addition to classical manifestations of MS, patients may manifest transverse myelitis.
A main side effect of biologic medications is serious infection. Most likely, these infections are not because of the medications themselves, however, biologic medications change the way your immune works.
There is no specific length of time you can stay on a biologic.
Illness and death
According to his father, Biden was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2001 after returning from service in Kosovo.
The name has recently changed to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) based on the 2009 ASAS classification criteria to better include early disease, theoretically before the occurrence of bony structural damage [2]. Initially it mainly affects the sacroiliac joints (SIJ), and, usually later, the spinal column.
New Treatment Approved for Ankylosing Spondylitis: FDA OKs First JAK Inhibitor, Tofacitinib. The U.S. FDA has approved a new medication to treat ankylosing spondylitis (AS) – tofacitinib, known as Xeljanz or Xeljanz XR.
Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) encompasses a group of chronic, inflammatory autoimmune diseases including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related, and reactive arthritis (ReA).
The word seronegative means 'absent from the blood'. Types of arthritis that test negative for rheumatoid factor in the blood are called 'seronegative arthritis'.
What is the best biologic for ankylosing spondylitis? TNF inhibitors — such as Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade — are typically recommended over other AS biologics. That's because TNF inhibitors currently have the most data showing they're effective for AS.