Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group is this true or is this DR wrong?

"Living with a person with ankylosing spondylitis increases your risk for developing the disease"
http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/j103.htm
http://ard.bmj.com/content/55/9/645.abstract

Hey, Darryn:

DR is wrong...

Doing a statistical study one could conclude that many blood relatives live together (ooops, there's the clue) and golly gosh they also have AS because of same diet and same B27xx or whatever genetics.

I like Mirkin, but sometimes he is over-reaching his own understanding. That is certainly not the dumbest thing a physician has ever said about AS.

As Jefferson Airplane sang--Eat Starch, Mom,
John

I agree that those assumptions could be wrong.

Those studies only found a correlation, NOT causative agents, and you have to be careful when trying to interpret the numbers and concluding anything.

Ie. One study (always an example in stats classes) found that drownings were highest in areas with high ice cream sales. You've got to be careful when trying to imply a causative agent with just an association... 'cause I'm pretty sure a scoop of chocolate chip mint won't cause people to drown instantaneously.

bmj study: 'infection due to biting'. Infection, and blokes will be blokish!

Dr Mirkin: paper is dd 2005. His proposal of Pamidronate is scary. Bis drugs, especially if infused. can lead to osteonecrosis of the ajw, phossy jaw. As for his conclusions as to living with someone may lead to contracting AS... Sigh. Reminds me of that member (here) of some years back, whose doctor told her husband that her AS was due to an STD... Almost broke up a marriage. The doctor was getting his wires crossed between reactive arthritis (which 'may' be an std causal) and straight forward AS autoimmune disease.

Megan - love that stat: ice cream and suicides. Wunnerful. Thanks for Monday's larf...

Molly C (France)

Perhaps they fell in a bucket full ha ha


Kevin

I would totally grab a scoop of chocolate mint chip over a life raft, and it wouldn't be my fault. I'm wired for that.

Deliberate Hijacker

I don't know about AS and tend to believe his statement incorrect. However, I recall there to be some confirmation that living with a person that has either UC or IBD (to include Crohn's) increases the risk for others within the same household. I'll see if I can't dig something up to support that last sentence.

Yah, I've heard this before. Put that in the same category as Elvis being alive and well and living in Saskatchewan.

Hugs,

There is one citation that IBD could be contagious, but it is weak at best. Therefore I'd carry on with the assumption upon which you entered this post in regard to IBD being contagious (although the original post dealt with AS). I'm still highly suspicious (regarding IBD) but lack proof.

IBD - Contagious

Yes yes absolutely true

All to do with blood groups and the the diet at home. Yes that's why I am the only one in my family with AS!