Efficacy of oral prednisolone in active ankylosing spondylitis: results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled short-term trial.

Background: The efficacy of oral prednisolone in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has not been studied to date.

Methods: In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, patients with AS with active disease despite taking non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs were randomised to three groups in which they were either treated with 20 mg (n=13) or 50 mg (n=12) of prednisolone, or placebo (n=14), administered orally every day for a total of 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was defined as a 50% improvement of the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) at week 2.

Effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis and history of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists reduce the signs and symptoms of spondyloarthritides, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab, 40 mg every other week, for patients with AS or PsA and prior treatment with infliximab (IFX) and/or etanercept (ETN).

Methods: Both trials were 12-week, open-label studies with an optional extension period up to week 20.

Effectiveness, safety, and predictors of good clinical response in 1250 patients treated with adalimumab for active ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in a large cohort of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and identified clinical predictors of good clinical response.

Methods: Patients with active AS [Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)>or=4] received adalimumab 40 mg every other week in addition to their standard antirheumatic therapies in a multinational 12-week, open-label study. We used 3 definitions of good clinical response: 50% improvement in the BASDAI (BASDAI=50), 40% improvement in the ASsessments of SpondyloArthritis International Society criteria (ASAS40), or ASAS partial remission.

Adalimumab is effective and well tolerated in treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis who have advanced spinal fusion.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in treating patients with AS and advanced structural damage.

Methods: Patients with active AS [Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) > or =4] received 40 mg of adalimumab every other week plus their standard anti-rheumatic therapies in this 12-week, open-label study. Investigators documented the presence or absence of advanced ankylosis based on previous radiographs.

Multicenter open-label study with infliximab in active ankylosing spondylitis over 28 weeks in daily practice.

Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of infliximab therapy in NSAID-refractory AS patients, with special emphasis on impact on quality of life in daily practice.

Patients And Methods: 101 AS patients with active disease (mean Bath ankylosing spondylitis activity index (BASDAI) 6.3, range 4.