Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine. There is no specific blood test for AS, but blood tests may be used to help diagnose the condition or to monitor its progression. These tests may include tests to measure levels of inflammation, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as tests to check for the presence of certain genetic markers that are associated with AS, such as the HLA-B27 gene. A blood sample is required to perform this test.
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