title: Acute anterior uveitis, ankylosing spondylitis, back pain, and HLA-B27.
abstract: One hundred and sixty-nine patients with acute anterior uveitis were studied for the presence of HLA-B27 tissue type, radiological evidence of ankylosing spondylitis, and a history of back pain. 60% were male; 45% were HLA-B27+. The male:female ratio in the HLA-B27+ group was the same as in the whole group. 24% had radiological evidence of ankylosing spondylitis, and, of these, 83% were HLA-B27+ while 17% were HLA-B27-. There was a definite correlation between the severity of the ankylosing spondylitis and preponderance of males in the HLA-B27+ group of patients. Significant back pain occurred in 60% of HLA-B27+ patients but in only 14% of HLA-B27- patients. The importance of the selection of patients and of consistency in the use of diagnostic criteria in studies relating to ankylosing spondylitis and acute anterior uveitis is stressed.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012737:Sex Factors; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology*; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen