Infliximab Useful in Refractory Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Infliximab Useful in Refractory Ankylosing Spondylitis

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Mar 03 - Infliximab shows considerable

efficacy against ankylosing spondylitis in patients who have not been

adequately helped by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,

corticosteroids and other agents, European and US researchers report.

" TNF blocking therapy is a major step forward in the treatment of

ankylosing spondylitis, " Dr. van de Heijde told Reuters Health.

Dr. van der Heijde of University Hospital Maastricht, the Netherlands,

and colleagues note in the February issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism

that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors have shown success against

the condition in a number of trials.

To investigate further, the researchers randomized 201 patients to

receive 5 mg/kg of infliximab and 78 to receive placebo.

After 24 weeks, 61.2% of infliximab patients showed at least 20%

improvement, according to international ankylosing spondylitis

assessment criteria (ASAS20). This was the case in only 19.2% of

placebo patients.

Infliximab patients also showed significant improvement in a variety of

other disease assessment measures. Clinical benefit was seen after as

little as 2 weeks and was maintained over the study period.

Overall, 82.2% of infliximab patients reported adverse events. However,

so did 72.0% of placebo patients. Most such events in both groups were

mild or moderate in severity.

" This study confirms that infliximab treatment is highly effective in

patients with active ankylosing spondylitis who did not respond to

conventional treatment. " Dr. van der Heijde concluded.

Arthritis Rheum 2005;52:582-591.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/500760

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