scholarly journals Maintained Clinical Remission in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Switched from Reference Infliximab to Its Biosimilar: An 18-Month Comparative Open-Label Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaltsonoudis Evripidis ◽  
Pelechas Eleftherios ◽  
Voulgari V. Paraskevi ◽  
Drosos A. Alexandros

Background: Switching from reference infliximab (RI) to biosimilar infliximab (BI) had no detrimental effects on efficacy and safety. However, long-term follow-up data is missing. Objective: To evaluate patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) in clinical remission who were switching from RI to BI, in terms of the safety and efficacy of this, in a long-term fashion. Methods: One hundred and nine consecutive unselected AS patients were investigated. All were naïve to other biologics and were followed-up at predefined times receiving RI. Patients in clinical remission were asked to switch from RI to BI. Those who switched to BI were compared with a matched control-group receiving continuous RI. During follow-up, several parameters were recorded for at least 18 months. Disease activity was measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), and the Ankylosing Spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS), using the C-reactive protein. Remission was defined as BASDAI < 4 and ASDAS < 1.3. Results: Eighty-eight patients were evaluated (21 excluded for different reasons). From those, 45 switched to BI, while 43 continued receiving RI. No differences between groups regarding demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were observed. All patients were in clinical remission. During follow-up, five patients from the BI-group and three from the maintenance-group discontinued the study (4 patients nocebo effect, 1 loss of efficacy). After 18 months of treatment, all patients in both groups remained in clinical remission. No significant adverse events were noted between groups. Conclusion: BI is equivalent to RI in maintaining AS in clinical remission for at least 18 months.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-71
Author(s):  
Mansour Somaily ◽  
Hana Alahmari ◽  
Wejdan Abbag ◽  
Shahenda Yousif ◽  
Nawar Tayfour ◽  
...  

Background: A biosimilar version of infliximab ( CT-P13) was recently approved for use in Saudi Arabia. Clinical data support its use in the treatment of rheumatic disease, however, there is a lack of local data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of CT-P13 among patients with rheumatological disorders in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: To investigate the feasibility, tolerability and immunogenicity of switching from originator infliximab to biosimilar infliximab, CT-P13, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Behçet’s disease (BD). Methodology: The study included patients who were being treated with originator infliximab in the Department of Rheumatology in Khamis Mushayt General Hospital, Saudi Arabia, and were required to switch to biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13) between January 2018 and June 2019. Patient follow-up was carried out every three months for one year. The disease activity score 28 (DAS28) was used to assess RA severity. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score was used to measure disease activity in patients with AS, while BD disease activity was based on clinical assessment. Results: In total, 13 patients (six with RA, five with AS and two with BD) were switched to biosimilar infliximab. The majority (n = 11/13) remained on biosimilar infliximab throughout the follow-up period with no reported major adverse events. Overall, there was a significant improvement in RA disease activity following biosimilar treatment, with the mean DAS28 decreasing from 3.61±1.24 before biosimilar therapy to 2.63±1.54 one year after switching. Conclusion: In patients with AS, BD, or RA who switched from originator infliximab to the biosimilar, CT-P13, we did not observe any significant differences in tolerability or efficacy between biosimilar and originator. Furthermore, disease activity significantly declined in RA patients following biosimilar treatment


2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 700-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Sieper ◽  
Désirée van der Heijde ◽  
Maxime Dougados ◽  
L Steve Brown ◽  
Frederic Lavie ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo describe the efficacy and safety through 5 years of adalimumab treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to identify predictors of remission.MethodsPatients with active AS were followed up to 5 years during a 24-week randomised, controlled period, followed by an open-label extension. Disease activity and clinical improvement were evaluated by Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) responses, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Kaplan–Meier was used to identify patients with sustained ASAS partial remission (PR) or ASDAS inactive disease (ID) for three or more consecutive visits spanning ≥6 months. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with remission. Explanatory variables included baseline demographic and disease characteristics and week 12 responses.ResultsOf the 311 patients who received at least one dose of adalimumab, 202 (65%) completed the 5-year study. Among 125 patients who received 5 years of adalimumab, 70%, 77%, 51% and 61% achieved ASAS40, BASDAI 50, ASAS PR and ASDAS ID, respectively. Of 311 adalimumab-treated patients, 45% and 55% achieved sustained ASAS PR and ASDAS ID at any time during study participation. The strongest predictor of remission at years 1 and 5 and of sustained remission was achieving remission at 12 weeks of treatment; baseline characteristics showed weaker associations. Adverse events were comparable with previous reports on adalimumab safety.ConclusionsIn patients with active AS, the efficacy and safety of adalimumab were maintained through 5 years with about half of the patients experiencing sustained remission at any time during the study. Early achievement of remission was the best predictor of long-term and sustained remission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1129.1-1129
Author(s):  
A. Baillet ◽  
X. Romand ◽  
A. Pfimlin ◽  
M. Dalecky ◽  
M. Dougados

Background:Standardization of clinical practice has been proven to be effective in management of chronic diseases. This is particularly true at the time where the concept of treat to target is becoming more and more important in the field of axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA).Objectives:To propose a list of variables to be collected at the time of the diagnosis and over the follow-up of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) for an optimal management in daily practice.Methods:The process comprised (1) the evaluation of the interest of 51 variables proposed for the assessment of axSpA via a systematic literature research, (2) a consensus process involving 78 hospital-based or office-based rheumatologists, considering the collection of the variable in a 4 grade scale from ”potentially useful” to “mandatory”, (3) a consensus on optimal timeline for periodic assessment of the selected variables on a 5 grade scale from “at each visit” to “never to be re-collected”.Results:The systematic literature research retrieved a total of 14,133 abstracts, of which 213 were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Concerning the data to be collected at the time of the diagnosis and during follow-up, we proposed to differentiate the results based on a) the way of collection of the variables (e.g. questionnaires by the patient, interview by the physician, physical examination, investigations) b) the usefulness these variables in daily practice based on the opinion of the rheumatologists ” c) the optimal timeline between 2 evaluations of the variable based on the opinion of the rheumatologists. In the initial systematic review, symptoms of heart failure history of inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis or uveitis, patient global visual analogic scale, spine radiographs, modified Schöber test, coxo-femoral rotations, swollen joint count, urine strip test, BASDAI and ASDAS global scores were considered very useful and nocturnal back pain/morning stiffness, sacro-iliac joints radiographs and CRP were considered mandatory (Figure 1). Timeline between 2 evaluations of variables to collect in the periodic review are summarized inFigure 2.Figure 1.Core sets of items to collect and report in the systematic review in axial spondyloarthritis management in daily practice ASDAS=Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, BASDAI=Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, BASFI=Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functionnal Index, BASMI=Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, CRP=C Reactive Protein, CT=computerized tomography, FIRST=Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool, HLA=Human Leukocyte Antigen, MRI=Magnetic resonance imaging, PET=positron emission tomography.Figure 2.Periodic review timeline of variables to collectASDAS=Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, BASDAI=Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Spondylitis Metrology Index, CRP=C Reactive Protein, IBD = inflammatory bowel diseases, PRO = Patient Reported OutcomesConclusion:Using an evidence-based and an expert consensus approaches, this initiative defined a core set of variables to be collected and reported at the time of the diagnosis and during follow-up of patients with ax-SpA in daily practice.Acknowledgments:this study has been conducted in two parts: the first one (evidence-based) was conducted thanks to a support from Abbvie France. AbbVie did not review the content or have influence on this manuscript. The second part of this initiative (consensus) has been conducted thanks to a support from the scientific non-profit organization: Association de Recherche Clinique en RhumatologieDisclosure of Interests:Athan Baillet Consultant of: Athan BAILLET has received honorarium fees from Abbvie for his participation as the coordinator of the systematic literature review, Xavier Romand Consultant of: Xavier ROMAND has received honorarium fees from Abbvie, Arnaud Pfimlin Consultant of: Arnaud PFIMLIN has received honorarium fees from Abbvie, Mickael Dalecky Consultant of: Mickael DALECKY has received honorarium fees from Abbvie, Maxime Dougados Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-511
Author(s):  
O. A. Krichevskaya ◽  
Z. M. Gandaloeva ◽  
S. I. Glukhova ◽  
I. Yu. Skripkina ◽  
A. B. Demina ◽  
...  

Objective: Assessment of ankylosing spondylitis activity patterns during pregnancy using BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) and ASDAS-CRP (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score — C-Reactive Protein) disease activity indices.Materials and methods. The prospective study included 36 pregnant women with AS (modified New York AS criteria, 1984). Patients’ mean age was 31.6±4.8 years, mean age at AS onset was 21.8±10.9, and disease duration 134.9±89.3 months. The control group included 30 healthy pregnant women with no history of back pain and arthritis, their mean age was 28.2±4.5 years. In the I trimester of pregnancy 10 (33.3%) As patients experienced back pain, while in the III trimester already 15 (50%) had back pain. Throughout pregnancy, the intensity of back pain in the I, II и III trimesters based on numeric scale was on average 1.9±0.9; 2.1±1.1 and 2.1±0.8. BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP were used to measure disease activity on gestational Weeks 10–11, 20–21 and 31–32. The time of conception BASDAI score was assessed retrospectively at the 1st visit.Results and discussion. BASDAI mean values at the time of conception and I, II и III trimesters of pregnancy were: 2.3±1.9; 2.8±1.72 (p<0,05 vs month of conception); 3.2±1.9 and 3.3±2.1 respectively. Mean ASDAS-CRP in the I, II и III trimesters were 1.9±0.7; 2.3±0.9 and 2.2±0,8 respectively. There was a trend to CRP increase in the II and III trimesters vs the I: median CRP values in the I, II and III trimesters were 5.7 [1.6; 6.2], 8.0 [2.1; 9.6] and 7.9 [2.0; 9.2] mg/L, respectively. Percentages of patients with high disease activity based on BASDAI scores in the I, II and III trimesters were 30.6; 34.3 and 34.3%; based on ASDAS-CRP — 36.1; 57.5 and 53%, respectively. Throughout pregnancy, BASDAI scores were lower in the control group than in AS patients (p<0.01). However, no differences were found when comparing BASDAI values of AS patients and healthy women with back pain during pregnancy. The level of fatigue did not differ between pregnant women with AS (median 5[3; 7] and 5[3; 6]) and healthy controls (5[3; 8] and 5[4; 6]) in the I and II trimesters, while in the III trimester, fatigue in healthy pregnant women (6[4; 8]) was more pronounced than in AS patients (5[3; 6], p=0.01). Throughout pregnancy, the intensity of back pain in AS patients and healthy pregnant women with back pain did not differ (p<0.05). Median pain intensity in the I, II and III trimesters was 3[2; 4]; 4[3; 5]; 3[2; 6] and 2,5[1; 4]; 3[2; 7]; 4[2; 6], respectively. A high (rs ≥0,7) correlation of all BASDAI components with the index itself in each trimester of pregnancy, except for joint pain in the month of conception, and in the I and III trimesters was established in the group of pregnant women with AS. The control group had quite high correlation (rs >0.7) of fatigue severity with the BASDAI index in the I and II trimesters of pregnancy and moderate correlation (rs >0.53) in the III trimester; as wells as moderate (rs >0.5-0.69) correlation between back pain and BASDAIConclusion. A trend towards increasing AS activity based on BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP scores and CRP levels was established for the first half of pregnancy. Later in pregnancy these increased values failed to return to normal until the end of gestation. The percentage of AS patients with highto-moderate disease activity throughout pregnancy was lower based on BASDAI score vs based on ASDAS-CRP. Some BASDAI components (fatigue and back pain) reflect not only the activity of AS, but also changes associated with physiological pregnancy. The BASDAI index requires adaptation for use in pregnancy


Author(s):  
Pedro Ricardo Kömel Pimenta ◽  
Michael Ruberson Ribeiro da Silva ◽  
Jéssica Barreto Ribeiro dos Santos ◽  
Adriana Maria Kakehasi ◽  
Francisco de Assis Acurcio ◽  
...  

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anti-TNF drugs for ankylosing spondylitis. Materials & methods: A prospective cohort study was performed at a pharmacy in the Brazilian Public Health System. Effectiveness by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, functionality by Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, quality of life by European Quality of Life Five-Dimensions and safety was assessed at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Results: About 160 patients started the treatment with adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab. There was a statistically significant improvement in disease activity, functionality and quality of life at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This real-world study has shown that anti-TNF drugs are effective and well tolerated for ankylosing spondylitis patients.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 104.1-104
Author(s):  
L. Garzanova ◽  
L. Ananyeva ◽  
O. Koneva ◽  
O. Ovsyannikova ◽  
O. Desinova ◽  
...  

Background:A sound experience has been accumulated up to date with the use of rituximab (RTХ) for treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Some studies reported improvement of skin fibrosis following treatment with RTХ, but long-term follow-ups are really few.Objectives:to evaluate the effect of RTХ on the manifestations of skin fibrosis in patients (pts) with SSc in the long-term follow-up.Methods:This prospective study included 71 pts aged 46 years (17-66) on average, 59 (83%) pts were females, mean disease duration was 5,6±4,4 years, and mean follow-up - 42 months (12-72) (mo). Diffuse SSc was established in 42 (59%) pts. All pts received glucocorticoids in low doses. 45% of pts were receiving immunosuppressants at study entry. The following parameters were evaluated: Rodnan skin score (mRSS), interdigital space(IDS) (the distance between the tips of 1 and 5 fingers at maximum extension), oral aperture (OAp) and activity index (EScSG-AI) over the periods: 12-18 mo, 24-30 mo, 36-42 mo, 48-54 mo and 60-72 mo after initiation of RTX therapy. The results are presented as: mean values, delta (Δ), median, upper and lower quartiles.Results:RTX therapy resulted in significant decrease of disease activity index, which statistically significantly correlated with decrease of mRSS - the main indicator of the severity of skin fibrosis (r=0,39;p=0,001). Changes in parameters by follow-up periods are presented in the Table 1.Table 1.Changes in clinical and instrumental parameters at RTX treatment (delta; median; lower quartile; upper quartile).Parameters12-18 mo (n=71)24-30 mo (n=55)36-42 mo (n=36)48-54 mo (n=24)60-72 mo (n=17)ΔmRSS3,32 [3.3; 0; 8]5,4 [3; 0; 10]5,1 [3,5; 0; 9]5,3 [3; 0; 10]7,3 [5; 1; 14]p=0,001p=0,001p=0,001p=0,001p=0,001ΔOAp, cm0,24 [0,1; 0; 0,5]0,26 [0,1; 0; 0,6]0,39 [0,2; 0; 0,8]0,31 [0.3; 0; 0,7]0,36 [0,2; 0; 0,8]p=0,0009p=0,0006p=0,004p=0,006p=0,009ΔActivity index (EScSG-AI)1,49 [1,5; 0; 2,5]1,64 [1,5; 0; 2,5]1,11 [1; 0; 2]2 [2; 1; 3]2,17 [2; 1,5; 2]p=0,001p=0,001p=0,0001p=0,0001p=0,0001Cumulative dose of RTX, g1,43±0,62,97±0,83,45±1,33,96±1,15,15±1,7Decreasing of mRSS statistically significantly correlated with increasing cumulative dose of RTX (r=0,29;p=0,01). Decreasing disease activity index correlated with increasing cumulative dose of RTX (r=-0,37; p=0,01). IDS improvement was documented at all assessment time periods, although statistically insignificant.Conclusion:The results of this study confirm reported positive effect of RTX on the reduction of skin fibrosis in SSc. Long-term follow-up demonstrated steadily decreasing skin fibrosis and improvement of microstomia with increasing oral aperture in parallel with a decrease of the disease activity index and increasing cumulative dose of RTX.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S388-S390
Author(s):  
F Mesonero Gismero ◽  
Y Zabana ◽  
A Fernández-Clotet ◽  
E Leo ◽  
B Caballol ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pouchitis and other inflammatory disorders of the pouch (IDP), such as Crohn′s-like disease of the pouch (CDP), are frequent in patients operated for a previous diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Many different therapies have been used, but the effectiveness of immunosupresants (IMM) has been poorly explored in this setting. Our aim was to evaluate the use, efficacy and safety of IMM in patients with pouchitis or another IDP. Methods Retrospective and multicentric study of a Spanish cohort of pouch-carrying patients with previous diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, and subsequent diagnosis of IDP, following ECCO diagnostic criteria. Patients who used IMM to treat these conditions were selected. Clinical effectiveness was evaluated at long-term. We defined clinical remission as returning to the previous stool frequency, no pain or defecatory urgency, clinical response as the improvement in these parameters without the achievement of remission, and non-response as no improvement or worsening symptoms. Endoscopic response was evaluated when possible using modified pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI) endoscopic subscore. Adverse events were collected. We used descriptive statistics. Results In the overall cohort of 338 patients with IDP, 93 (27%) were treated with IMM. Of those, 57% males, median age 40 (20-71) ys, and 72% non-smokers. Colectomy was performed at a median age of 31 (18-63) ys and IPD was diagnosed 25 (1-235) months after ileostomy closure. IMM used were thiopurines (n=86), methotrexate (n=4), cyclosporine (n=2) and tacrolimus (n=1). IMM were used as monotherapy in 66 (71%) cases and were indicated as treatment of pouchitis (n=60, 65%), CDP (n=32, 34.4%) and cuffitis (n=1, 1%). Effectiveness was evaluated only for thiopurine monotherapy (n=62). After a median follow-up of 23 (1-234) months, clinical remission was achieved in 31%, clinical response in 31% and non-response in 38% (Figure 1). There were no differences in effectiveness between pouchitis and CDP (63.9% vs 57.7%, p= 0.62). Endoscopic response was evaluated in 19 (30.6%) cases. After a median of 9 months of follow-up median PDAI endoscopic subscore dropped from 3 (range 2-4) to 1 (range 0-3), (Figure 2). Adverse events related with treatment appeared in 28 patients (45%). Thiopurines were discontinued in 39 cases (63%) due to failure (17), toxicity (16) and long remission (6 cases). Conclusion In our cohort, thiopurines were used in 27% of patients with IDP, with long-term benefit (remission or response) in around two-thirds of them. This therapy could be one more option to manage these disorders.


Rheumatology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 1340-1346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Feld ◽  
Justine Yang Ye ◽  
Vinod Chandran ◽  
Robert D Inman ◽  
Nigil Haroon ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare patients with ankylosing spondylitis with psoriasis (ASP) and without psoriasis (AS), to axial PsA (axPsA) patients. Methods Two adult cohorts were recruited from the AS clinic: ASP and AS. These two cohorts were compared with two adult cohorts recruited from the PsA clinic: axPsA (radiographic sacroiliitis: ⩾bilateral grade 2 or unilateral grade 3 or 4); and Peripheral PsA. All patients were followed prospectively according to the same protocol. The demographic, clinical and radiographic variables were compared. Adjusted means were used to account for varying intervals between visits. A logistic regression was performed and adjusted for follow-up duration. Results There were 477 axPsA patients, 826 peripheral PsA, 675 AS and 91 ASP patients included. AS patients were younger (P &lt; 0.001), more male and HLA-B*27 positive (76%, 72% vs 64%, P ⩽ 0.001, 82%, 75%, vs 19%, P = 0.001). They had more back pain at presentation (90%, 92% vs 19%, P = 0.001), worse axial disease activity scores (bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index: 4.1, 3.9 vs 3.5 P = 0.017), worse back metrology (bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index: 2.9, 2.2 vs 1.8, P &lt; 0.001), worse physician global assessments (2.4, 2.2 vs 2.1, P &lt; 0.001), were treated more with biologics (29%, 21% vs 7%, P = 0.001) and had a higher grade of sacroiliitis (90%, 84% vs 51%, P &lt; 0.001). Similar differences were detected in the comparison of ASP to axPsA and in a regression model. Conclusion AS patients, with or without psoriasis, seem to be different demographically, genetically, clinically and radiographically from axPsA patients. axPsA seems to be a distinct entity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 1759720X2098770
Author(s):  
Fabian Proft ◽  
Anja Weiß ◽  
Murat Torgutalp ◽  
Mikhail Protopopov ◽  
Valeria Rios Rodriguez ◽  
...  

Aims: Long-term data on TNFi treatment in patients with axSpA is scarce. The objective of this analysis was to assess long-term clinical efficacy of etanercept in early axSpA [including both non-radiographic and radiographic axSpA forms], who participated in the long-term (until year 10) extension of the ESTHER-trial. Methods: In the previously reported ESTHER-trial, patients with early active axSpA were randomized to treatment with etanercept ( n = 40) or sulfasalazine ( n = 36) during the first year. Patients in remission discontinued their therapy and were followed up until the end of year 2; in case of remission-loss, etanercept was (re)-introduced and continued until the end of year 10. If remission was not achieved at year 1, patients continued receiving (or were switched to) etanercept for up to 10 years. Results: A total of 19 patients (12 with r-axSpA and 7 with nr-axSpA at baseline) out of the initial 76 patients (= 25%) completed year 10 of the study. In the entire group, a sustained clinical response was seen over 10 years of follow up in the as-observed analysis. Completers were significantly more often male and showed lower values of patient and physician global assessments of disease activity, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire (ASQoL) scores at baseline as compared with non-completers. When analyzing clinical data of the completers, mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) values were constantly below 2 and mean ASDAS below 2.1 during follow up with no statistically significant differences between the r-axSpA and nr-axSpA subgroups. A total of 39 serious adverse events were documented over the 10 years, while six of them were seen as possibly associated with the etanercept treatment, which led in five patients to treatment discontinuation. Conclusion: A sustained clinical response was observed over the 10 years of the study with comparable response and drop-out rates between r-axSpA and nr-axSpA. Etanercept was well tolerated across the entire treatment period and showed a good safety profile with no new safety signals.


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