The higher frequency of M694V among FMF patients with radiographic sacroiliitis than those without this disorder, suggest that MEFV gene variations may be the potential pathogenic link between the two disorders and can be recognized as a geographic region-specific risk factor for SpA/AS, affecting a common inflammatory pathway of IL-1 in the pathogenesis of these diseases. The gene discussed is MEFV; the disease is Sacroiliac arthritis.