scholarly journals OP0076 CLINICAL DISEASE ACTIVITY, MRI SPINAL INFLAMMATION AND ENTHESITIS ARE KEY DETERMINANTS OF IMPAIRMENT OF SPINAL MOBILITY IN EARLY AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS – DATA FROM THE DESIR COHORT

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 51-52
Author(s):  
P. Carvalho ◽  
A. Marreiros ◽  
J. E. Fonseca ◽  
A. Ruyssen-Witrand ◽  
P. M. Machado

Background:It has been shown that spinal mobility impairment in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is independently determined both by irreversible spinal damage and by reversible spinal inflammation. However, these relationships have only been investigated in patients with longstanding disease (ankylosing spondylitis). Moreover, only the composite score Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) has been evaluated rather than individual mobility assessments.Objectives:Our aim was to investigate the determinants of spinal mobility in patients with early axSpA.Methods:We analysed longitudinal data from the DEvenir des Spondyloarthrites Indifférenciées Récentes (DESIR) cohort, collected during the first five years of follow-up. We selected patients with a definite diagnosis of axSpA according to the treating rheumatologist, at the end of follow-up (month 60). Associations were tested using generalised estimating equations (GEE), a multilevel approach that adjusts for within-patient correlation. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) or the individual components of BASMI (lateral spinal flexion, tragus-to-wall distance, cervical rotation, anterior lumbar flexion, maximal intermalleolar distance) were used as dependent variables, and clinical and demographic variables were used as independent variables in univariable models. Spinal MRI inflammation was assessed using the Berlin scoring system and radiographic structural damage was assessed using the modified Stoke ankylosing spondylitis spinal score (mSASSS)]. As physical function and quality of life are considered to be hierarchically superior to spinal mobility, they were not included in the analysis. Multivariable models were built, adjusting for potential confounding. Variables with a p-value <0.10 were re-tested in the multivariable models. Six models were built, one regarding the BASMI total score and five regarding the individual components of BASMI.Results:Data from 644 patients and 5152 visits were analysed. In the multivariable analyses (table), we found an independent association between higher BASMI values and age [adjusted B (aB)=1.02, confidence interval (CI)=1.01-1.03], Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C Reactive Protein (ASDAS-CRP) (aB=1.23, CI=1.15-1.32), enthesitis score (aB=1.02, CI=1.01-1.04) and MRI inflammation score (aB=1.13, CI=1.05-1.23). All individual BASMI components were independently associated with ASDAS-CRP. Apart from maximal intermalleolar distance, all other mobility measures were associated with MRI spinal inflammation. Lateral spinal flexion, cervical rotation and maximal intermalleolar distance were associated with the enthesitis score. mSASSS was associated with lateral spinal flexion and a contributory factor to tragus-to-wall distance and cervical rotation.Conclusion:In early axSpA, spinal mobility impairment is independently determined by clinical disease activity, MRI spinal inflammation and the severity of enthesitis. Maximal intermalleolar distance (which is not a true measure of spinal mobility) was the only measure not associated with MRI spinal inflammation. The influence of spinal inflammation prevails in the early phase of axSpA while spinal damage becomes more relevant in later disease stages.References:None.Disclosure of Interests:Pedro Carvalho: None declared, Ana Marreiros: None declared, Joao Eurico Fonseca: None declared, Adeline Ruyssen-Witrand Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Pfizer, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Lilly, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, Sanofi-Genzyme, Pedro M Machado Consultant of: PMM: Abbvie, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Speakers bureau: PMM: Abbvie, BMS, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB

RMD Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e001356
Author(s):  
Pedro D Carvalho ◽  
Adeline Ruyssen-Witrand ◽  
Joao Fonseca ◽  
Ana Marreiros ◽  
Pedro M Machado

ObjectiveTo investigate the determinants of impaired spinal and hip mobility in patients with early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).MethodsFive-year longitudinal data from the DEvenir des Spondyloarthrites Indifférenciées Récentes (DESIR) cohort were analysed. Associations were investigated using generalised estimating equations, using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) linear or each of the five components of BASMI as dependent variables, and clinical and demographic variables as independent variables in univariable models. Multivariable analyses were performed, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsData from 644 patients and 5152 visits were analysed. Higher BASMI values were independently and positively associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score C reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) (adjusted B (adjB)=0.21; 95% CI=0.15 to 0.28), MRI spinal inflammation score (adjB=0.11; 95% CI=0.04 to 0.19), enthesitis score (adjB=0.02; 95% CI=0.01 to 0.04) and age (adjB=0.02; 95% CI=0.01 to 0.03). All BASMI components were independently associated with ASDAS-CRP and MRI spinal inflammation, except for maximal intermalleolar distance (reflecting hip mobility), which was not associated with MRI spinal inflammation.ConclusionIn early axSpA, spinal mobility impairment is independently determined by clinical disease activity, MRI spinal inflammation, enthesitis and age. The influence of spinal inflammation prevails in early axSpA, as opposed to spinal structural damage, which may become more relevant in later disease stages.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1643-1650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Fongen ◽  
Hanne Dagfinrud ◽  
Inger Jorid Berg ◽  
Sofia Ramiro ◽  
Floris van Gaalen ◽  
...  

Objective.To examine the frequency of impaired spinal mobility in patients with chronic back pain of short duration and to compare it with the frequency of impaired spinal mobility in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), possible SpA, and no SpA.Methods.The SpondyloArthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohort includes patients with chronic back pain (≥ 3 mos, ≤ 2 yrs, onset < 45 yrs). Spinal mobility was assessed with lateral spinal flexion, chest expansion, cervical rotation, occiput-to-wall distance, and lumbar flexion. Hip mobility was assessed with intermalleolar distance. Mobility measures were defined as impaired if below the 5th percentile reference curve from general population, adjusted for age and height when appropriate. Proportions of patients categorized with impaired mobility were examined with chi square.Results.In total, 393 patients with chronic back pain were included: 142 axSpA, 140 possible SpA, and 111 no SpA. Impairment in ≥ 1 mobility measure was present in 66% of all patients. The most frequently impaired mobility measure was lateral spinal flexion (40%), followed by chest expansion (22%), cervical rotation (18%), intermalleolar distance (17%), lumbar flexion (15%), and occiput-to-wall distance (11%). No statistically significant differences in proportion of patients with impaired spinal mobility were found between patients with axSpA and the other subgroups in any of the tests.Conclusion.Two out of 3 patients with chronic back pain of short duration had impaired spinal mobility compared to the general population. Impaired spinal mobility occurs as often in patients with early axSpA as in other forms of chronic back pain.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gehan Elolemy ◽  
Ahmed Aboughanima ◽  
Sahar Ganeb ◽  
Haytham Elziat

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease leading to functional limitations and subsequently impaired quality of life (QoL). Despite the fact that QoL was recognized as a significant perception, it was excluded from the core domains (defined by the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society), because of ambiguity of measurement choice. Aim: To assess QoL in patients with AS using a generic; Short Form-36 (SF-36) and a diseasespecific; Ankylosing Spondylitis quality of life (ASQoL) instruments and to explore its relationship to the clinical characteristics, disease activity, functional status, and radiographic severity. Methods: A total of 47 AS patients who fulfilled modified New York criteria were included. Disease activity, functional status, spinal mobility, and radiographic severity were assessed by Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) and Bath AS Radiology Index (BASRI) respectively. SF-36 and ASQoL instruments evaluated Qol. Results: Physical health was more affected especially in patients with peripheral arthritis by SF-36 (p=0.008) and ASQoL (p=0.022) scores. Both SF-36 total and ASQoL scores correlated significantly with BASDAI (r = -0.329, p = 0.024 and r = 0.420, p = 0.003), BASFI (r = -0.399, p = 0.005 and r = 0.513, p=0.001) and BASMI (r = -0.382, p = 0.008 and r = 0.482, p= 0.001) respectively. Conclusion: QoL was impaired in AS patients with highest impact on physical health especially in association with peripheral arthritis. SF-36 and ASQol have a comparable achievement in the evaluation of QoL in AS patients and both physical function and spinal mobility were identified as predictors of poor QoL.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Hebeisen ◽  
Regula Neuenschwander ◽  
Almut Scherer ◽  
Pascale Exer ◽  
Ulrich Weber ◽  
...  

Objective.To investigate sex differences in connection with the effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods.A total of 440 patients with AS (294 men; 146 women) initiating a first TNFi in the prospective Swiss Clinical Quality Management Cohort were included. We evaluated the proportion of patients achieving the 20% and 40% improvement in the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society criteria (ASAS20 and ASAS40) as well as Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) improvement and status scores at 1 year. Patients having discontinued TNFi were considered nonresponders. Logistic regression analyses were performed to adjust for important predictors of response.Results.Compared to men, female patients had lower mean C-reactive protein levels, better spinal mobility, and more peripheral disease at the start. There was no sex disparity with regard to the ASDAS, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity and Functional indices, and the quality of life. At 1 year, 52% of women and 63% of men achieved an ASAS20 response (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.37–1.07, p = 0.09). An inactive disease status (ASDAS < 1.3) was reached by 18% of women and 26% of men (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.32–1.27, p = 0.22). These sex differences in response to TNFi were more pronounced in adjusted analyses (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16–0.71, p = 0.005 for ASAS20 and OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.03–0.31, p < 0.001 for ASDAS < 1.3) and confirmed for all the other outcomes assessed.Conclusion.In AS, fewer women respond to TNFi and women show a reduced response in comparison to men.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 428.1-428
Author(s):  
S. Garcia ◽  
B. M. Fernandes ◽  
S. Ganhão ◽  
M. Rato ◽  
F. Pinheiro ◽  
...  

Background:Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) is an instrument developed to assess spinal and hip mobility. The relationship between BASMI and disease activity is not always linear and, above all, the data that correlate the variation in BASMI values (ΔBASMI) with the variation in disease activity scores and response to treatment are not unanimous.Objectives:Explore the effect of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) in spine mobility (as assessed by BASMI) and the associations between ΔBASMI and disease activity.Methods:Observational retrospective study was performed including consecutive patients with the diagnosis of Spondyloarthritis (SpA) followed at our Rheumatology Department. Demographic, clinical, including Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), BASMI, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (ASDAS ESR and ASDAS CRP, respectively), and laboratorial data were collected from our national database at baseline, 6 and 12 months after initiation of a bDMARD. The variation of each parameter was calculated as the difference between the levels recorded at 6 and 12 months and the reference level and presented in the form of Δ. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0. Correlations between variables were studied using Spearman correlation analysis and comparison between groups was performed using Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Results:Median age of patients (n=178) was 42 years old [34, 50], 92 (51.7%) were males with a median disease duration of 4.9 [1.0, 10.3] years. One hundred and twenty-six patients (70.8%) had Ankylosing Spondylitis, 15 (8.4%) Inflammatory Bowel Disease related SPA and 30 (16.9%) Undifferentiated SpA. Fifty four (30.3%) patients were taking glucocorticoids and regarding conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs use before starting the bDMARD: Sulfasalazine (52, 29.2%), Methotrexate (31, 17.4%) and Leflunomide (3, 1.7%). Regarding the bDMARD, only one patient started Secukinumab and the others a Tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) [Golimumab (n= 64, 36.0%), Adalimumab (n=36, 20.2%), Infliximab (n= 35, 19.7%), Etanercept (n= 32, 18.0%) and Certolizumab (n= 10, 5.6%)].The majority of the patients had very high disease activity at baseline (86.0%, n=153); median ESR was 29 mm/h [15, 47], median CRP was 13.7 mg/L, [6.60, 27.3], median ASDAS CRP was 7.6 [6.0, 9.0] and median BASMI was 8.0 [7-0, 9.0]. After 6 and 12 months of treatment, mean ESR, CRP, ASDAS-CRP and BASMI were significantly lower than mean baseline values (p<0.01), with median ASDAS-CRP at 12 months of 2.20 [1.50, 2.90] and median ΔBASMI of -4.10 [-5.50, -2.40].BASMI at baseline showed a moderate correlation with ASDAS CRP (r=0.468, p<0.01), BASDAI (r=0.496, p<0.01) and patient visual analogic scale (VAS) (r=0.563, p<0.01). No correlations were found between BASMI and CRP, ESR, physician VAS or the consumption of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs at baseline.A significant positive correlation was found between ΔBASMI and ΔASDAS at 6 months and 12 months (r=0.243, p=0.02; r=0.286; p<0.01) and also between ΔBASMI and ΔBASDAI at 6 and 12 months (r=0.183, p=0.04; r=0.291, p=0.02). No correlations were found between ΔBASMI and ΔCRP or ΔESR. No differences were observed in ΔBASMI, regarding the bDMARD of choice.Conclusion:In our cohort, starting a bDMARD improved BASMI scores through a 12 month period and there was a correlation between the variation of BASMI and disease activity improvement. As such, a TNFi may retard the progression of spinal mobility dysfunction in SpA patients. We cannot draw conclusions regarding differences between TNFi and interleukin 17 inhibitors and further work is needed to clarify possible differences in their impact in improving spine mobility.Disclosure of Interests:Salomé Garcia: None declared, Bruno Miguel Fernandes: None declared, Sara Ganhão: None declared, Maria Rato: None declared, Filipe Pinheiro: None declared, Georgina Terroso: None declared, Miguel Bernardes Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, Eli-Lilly, Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Pfizer, Janssen, Novartis, Lúcia Costa: None declared


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1004-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sovira Tan ◽  
Jianhua Yao ◽  
John A. Flynn ◽  
Lawrence Yao ◽  
Michael M. Ward

Objective.Because zygapophyseal joints (ZJ) are difficult to visualize on radiographs, little is known about the relationship of ZJ fusion to other features of spinal damage in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We used computed tomography (CT) to investigate the concordance of ZJ fusion and syndesmophytes, and examined the contribution of both features to spinal motion.Methods.We performed thoracolumbar CT scans (T10–T11 to L3–L4) on 55 patients. Two readers scored scans for ZJ fusion, which were compared to syndesmophyte height and extent of bridging, measured by computer algorithm at the same levels. We used multiple regression analysis to evaluate the relative contributions of ZJ fusion and syndesmophytes to spinal mobility.Results.Fifty-one percent of patients had ZJ fusion in at least 1 vertebral level. Fusion was present in 129 of 652 individual ZJ. Syndesmophytes and bridging were often present in vertebral levels without ZJ fusion, suggesting that syndesmophytes most often develop first. ZJ fusion was present in 34% of vertebral levels with syndesmophytes and 55.9% of levels with bridging, suggesting a closer association with bridging. Syndesmophytes and ZJ fusion had similar associations with the modified Schober test, but syndesmophytes were more strongly associated with limitations in lateral thoracolumbar flexion. ZJ rarely showed new fusion over 4 years.Conclusion.Thoracolumbar ZJ fusion in AS is rarely present at vertebral levels without syndesmophytes. Syndesmophytes, therefore, likely appear before ZJ fusion at a given vertebral level. Both syndesmophytes and ZJ fusion contribute to limited forward lumbar flexion, but syndesmophytes contribute more to limited lateral flexion.


2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1953-1956 ◽  
Author(s):  
NAI LEE LUI ◽  
ADELE CARTY ◽  
NIGIL HAROON ◽  
HUA SHEN ◽  
RICHARD J. COOK ◽  
...  

Objective.To determine the association between urolithiasis and syndesmophyte formation and the effect of urolithiasis on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) disease activity.Methods.In a longitudinal cohort of 504 patients with AS, we conducted an analysis of all patients with AS who have a history of urolithiasis. All patients met the modified New York criteria for AS. Demographics, clinical characteristics, extraarticular features, and comorbidities are systematically recorded in the database. We compared disease activity, functional indices, medical therapy and radiographic damage between AS patients with (Uro+) and without urolithiasis (Uro–) using the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS).Results.Thirty-eight patients with AS (7.5%) had a history of urolithiasis in our cohort. Seventy-six patients with AS who did not have urolithiasis, matched for age, sex, and ethnicity, were selected as controls. Patients who were Uro+ were more likely to have more functional disability, based on the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI; mean 5.3 vs 3.6 in control group, p = 0.003). Trends were noted in the Uro+ group toward higher Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI; mean 4.9 vs 4.0, p = 0.09), more peripheral joint involvement (p = 0.075), and higher frequency of biologic therapy (p = 0.09). No significant difference was detected in mSASSS or the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI). Significant association with diabetes mellitus (DM; p = 0.016) and Crohn’s disease (p = 0.006) was noted in the Uro+ group.Conclusion.Although there is no acceleration of syndesmophyte formation or spinal mobility restriction, more functional disability was detected in the urolithiasis group. The higher risk with concomitant DM or Crohn’s disease should alert clinicians to these comorbidities in Uro+ patients with AS.


Author(s):  
Jūlija Zepa ◽  
Inita Buliņa ◽  
Vladimirs Lavrentjevs ◽  
Ilze Vīnkalna ◽  
Liene Ņikitina-Zaķe ◽  
...  

Abstract Obesity can be a factor that affects the course of chronic systemic inflammatory arthritis. The objective of this study was to characterise patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) according to an evaluation of their body mass index (BMI) and by exploring the link between the overweightness and obesity with routinely measured disease-specific variables, including disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index BASDAI; Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, using CRP, ASDAScrp), spinal mobility (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, BASMI), functional capacity (BASFI), extraspinal manifestations like fatigue, uveitis, and peripheral arthritis present during the course of the disease. A total of 107 patients were included in the cross-sectional study fulfilling the modified New York criteria for AS. Patients were divided into three groups: with the evaluation of BMI ≤ 24.9, 25.0–29.9 (overweight) and ≥ 30.0 (obesity). The mean BMI was 25.13 (SD 4.07). 33% of patients were overweight and 15% were obese. The mean values of age, duration of AS, ASDAScrp, BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), BASMI, pain in spine, and fatigue in the group with BMI ≤ 24.9 were lower than in the other groups (p < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in age of AS onset, uveitis and peripheral arthritis. AS patients who were overweight or obese had a higher level of the disease activity, pain, fatigue, functional disability and spinal mobility impairment with worse values in the case of obesity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 1349-1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Klingberg ◽  
Merja Nurkkala ◽  
Hans Carlsten ◽  
Helena Forsblad-d’Elia

Objective.To identify biomarkers for bone metabolism in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to determine the relationship between these biomarkers and disease activity, back mobility, osteoproliferation, and bone mineral density (BMD).Methods.Serum levels of Wingless protein (Wnt-3a), Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), sclerostin, soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL), and osteoprotegerin were assessed using ELISA. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C reactive protein, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis patient global score, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were used as disease activity measures, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) as a measure of spinal mobility. Lateral spine radiographs were scored for chronic AS-related changes (mSASSS). BMD was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.Results.Two hundred four patients with AS (NY criteria; 57% men), with a mean age of 50 ± 13 years and disease duration 15 ± 11 years, and 80 age and sex-matched controls were included. The patients with AS had significantly higher serum levels of Wnt-3a (p < 0.001) and lower levels of sclerostin (p = 0.014) and sRANKL (p = 0.047) compared with the controls. High CRP was associated with low sclerostin (rS = −0.21, p = 0.003) and DKK-1 (rS = −0.14, p = 0.045). In multiple linear regression analyses, increasing BASMI and mSASSS were independently associated with older age, male sex, high CRP, and elevated serum levels of Wnt-3a. In addition, mSASSS remained associated with a high number of smoking pack-years after adjusting for age. Low BMD of femoral neck was associated with high mSASSS after adjusting for age.Conclusion.Serum levels of Wnt-3a are elevated in AS and associated with increased BASMI and mSASSS, independent of age, indicating that Wnt-3a could be a biomarker for the osteoproliferative process.


2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 2142-2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Poddubnyy ◽  
Aleksandra Fedorova ◽  
Joachim Listing ◽  
Hildrun Haibel ◽  
Xenofon Baraliakos ◽  
...  

Objective.The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of radiographic spinal progression and disease activity on function and spinal mobility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors for up to 10 years.Methods.Patients with AS who participated in 2 longterm open-label extensions of clinical trials with TNF-α inhibitors (43 receiving infliximab and 17 receiving etanercept) were included in this analysis based on the availability of spinal radiographs performed at baseline and at a later timepoint (yr 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) during followup. Spinal radiographs were scored according to the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). Function was assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), spinal mobility by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), and disease activity by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI).Results.After the initial improvement, BASFI and BASMI remained remarkably stable at low levels over up to 10 years despite radiographic spinal progression. In the generalized mixed effects model analysis, no association between the mSASSS and the BASFI change (β = 0.0, 95% CI −0.03 to 0.03) was found, while there was some effect of mSASSS changes on BASMI changes over time (β = 0.05, 95% CI 0.01–0.09). BASDAI showed a strong association with function (β = 0.64, 95% CI 0.54–0.73) and to a lesser extent, with spinal mobility (β = 0.14, 95% CI 0.01–0.26).Conclusion.Functional status and spinal mobility of patients with established AS remained stable during longterm anti-TNF-α therapy despite radiographic progression. This indicates that reduction and continuous control of inflammation might be able to outweigh the functional effect of structural damage progression in AS.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document