COURSE XII: Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriasis

In this lesson attention is given to two related conditions of immune dysregulation – Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), affecting the vertebrae of the back and pelvis; and Psoriasis, manifesting mainly in the skin. Both conditions have some relation to the genetic configuration of HLA B27 and both share a similar pathophysiology of inflammation, overgrowth and thickening of soft tissue. We look in detail at the different presentations for both these diagnoses and explore the underlying drivers, pulling together the threads from previous lessons. In the exploration we discover a particularly relevant connection between AS, dietary starches and the gut microbiome. This foundation of understanding helps delineate pathways to rebalance and heal these conditions.