Ankylosing spondylitis in African Blacks

Abstract

Over a period of 4 years in a large African teaching hospital, only 8 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were seen. This small number supports the impression that the disease is rare in African blacks. Patients tended to be relatively old and to have severe disease. None had iritis or a positive family history. The HLA-B27 antigen was found in only 1 patient.