Genetic Variants In OPG and ANKH Are Associated With Severity Ofankylosis In Ankylosing Spondylitis In a Korean Cohort

Spinal ankylosis,which represents the most severe radiologic change in ankylosing spondylitis (AS),is associated with permanent work disability as well as decreased quality of life. Clinically, male sex, younger age at symptom onset, smoking, and elevated C-reactive protein level have been identified as factors associated with radiologic severity. However, genetic factors associated with radiologic severity remains elusivealthough AS is thought to be largely genetically determined.Thus, weset out to investigate which polymorphismsamong genes involved in bone formationwas associated with radiologic severity.Particular emphasis was placed on genes involved inWNT/β-catenin pathway and their respectiveantagonists or agonists. We also set out to investigatepossible genetic-environmental interactions which could also impact AS radiologic severity