Gonadal and adrenal sex steroids in ankylosing spondylitis

The frequency and severity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) shows a male prep onderance. In search of an explanation, some authors have reported that ser um androgen relative to estrogen levels are slightly elevated in AS patient s compared to controls. However, more recent, better designed studies have found the serum testosterone, 17B-estradiol and androstenedione levels did not differ significantly between patients with AS and controls. The sex dif ference in AS prevalence remains intriguing and there may be a role for (no rmal male levels) androgens exerting an effect on immune processes involved in the pathogenesis of AS.