The pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis.

Various factors of possible pathogenetic significance in ankylosing spondylitis are surveyed, with the conclusion that ankylosing spondylitis may be due to more than one cause and have varying symptomatology: It is not a disease but a syndrome. Terms such as spondylarthritis ankylopoietica or ankylosing spondylitis, which have such direct reference to symptoms, are not necessarily applicable. It is difficult to find an adequate name, but Bechterew's sydrome is suggested.