Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the historic term used for decades for the HLA-B27-associated inflammatory disease affecting mainly the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) and spine. Classification criteria... Show moreAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is the historic term used for decades for the HLA-B27-associated inflammatory disease affecting mainly the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) and spine. Classification criteria for AS have radiographic sacroiliitis as a dominant characteristic. However, with the availability of MRI of SIJ, it could be demonstrated that the disease starts long before definite SIJ changes become visible on radiographs. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society, representing a worldwide group of experts reached consensus on changes in the nomenclature pertaining to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), such as the terminology of diagnosis and of assessment of disease activity tools. These are important changes in the field, as experts in axSpA are now in agreement that the term axSpA is the overall term for the disease. A further differentiation, of which radiographic versus non-radiographic is only one aspect, may be relevant for research purposes. Another important decision was that the terms AS and radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA) can be used interchangeably, but that the preferred term is r-axSpA. Based on the decision that axSpA is the correct terminology, a proposal was made to officially change the meaning of the ASDAS acronym to ‘Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score’. In addition, for simplification it was proposed that the term ASDAS (instead of ASDAS-CRP) should be preferred and applied to the ASDAS calculated with C reactive protein (CRP). It is hoped that these changes will be used consequently for education, in textbooks, manuscripts and presentations. Show less
With back pain as one of the most common complaints in the population and with no single disease feature with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to diagnose axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) on... Show moreWith back pain as one of the most common complaints in the population and with no single disease feature with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to diagnose axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) on its own, diagnosing axSpA can be challenging. In this article, we discuss clinical, laboratory, and imaging spondyloarthritis features that can be used in diagnosis and explain the general principles underlying an axSpA diagnosis. Moreover, we discuss three pitfalls to avoid when diagnosing axSpA: i) using classification criteria as diagnostic criteria, ii) making a diagnosis by simple counting of spondyloarthritis features, and iii) overreliance on imaging findings. Finally, we have some advice on how to build diagnostic skills and discuss new developments that may help facilitate the diagnosis of axSpA in the future.(c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4.0/). Show less
Navarro-Compán, V.; Benavent, D.; Capelusnik, D.; Heijde, D. van der; Landewé, R.B.M.; Poddubnyy, D.; ... ; Ramiro, S. 2023
Objectives To develop a consensual definition for the term ‘early axial spondyloarthritis—axSpA’—and ‘early peripheral spondyloarthritis—pSpA’.Methods The ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis... Show moreObjectives To develop a consensual definition for the term ‘early axial spondyloarthritis—axSpA’—and ‘early peripheral spondyloarthritis—pSpA’.Methods The ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-Spondyloarthritis EARly definition) steering committee convened an international working group (WG). Five consecutive steps were followed: (1) systematic literature review (SLR); (2) discussion of SLR results within the WG and ASAS community; (3) a three-round Delphi survey inviting all ASAS members to select the items that should be considered for the definition; (4) presentation of Delphi results to the WG and ASAS community and (5) ASAS voting and endorsement (2023 annual meeting).Results Following the SLR, consensus was to proceed with an expert-based definition for early axSpA (81% in favour) but not for pSpA (54% against). Importantly, early axSpA should be based on symptom duration taking solely axial symptoms into account. 151–164 ASAS members participated in the Delphi surveys. Consensus was achieved for considering the following items within early axSpA definition: duration of symptoms ≤2 years; axial symptoms defined as cervical/thoracic/back/buttock pain or morning stiffness; regardless of the presence/absence of radiographic damage. The WG agreed that in patients with a diagnosis of axSpA ‘early axSpA’ should be defined as a duration of ≤2 years of axial symptoms. Axial symptoms should include spinal/buttock pain or morning stiffness and should be considered by a rheumatologist as related to axSpA. The ASAS community endorsed this proposal (88% in favour).Conclusions Early axSpA has newly been defined, based on expert consensus. This ASAS definition should be adopted in research studies addressing early axSpA. Show less
Heijde, D. van der; Deodhar, A.; Baraliakos, X.; Brown, M.A.; Dobashi, H.; Dougados, M.; ... ; Xu, H.J. 2023
Objectives: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a complex disease with diverse manifestations, for which new treatment options are warranted. BE MOBILE 1 (non-radiographic (nr)-axSpA) and BE MOBILE... Show moreObjectives: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a complex disease with diverse manifestations, for which new treatment options are warranted. BE MOBILE 1 (non-radiographic (nr)-axSpA) and BE MOBILE 2 (radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA)) are double-blind, phase 3 trials designed to evaluate efficacy and safety of bimekizumab, a novel dual interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F inhibitor, across the axSpA spectrum. Methods: In parallel 52-week trials, patients with active disease were randomised 1:1 (nr-axSpA) or 2:1 (r-axSpA) to bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks:placebo. From week 16, all patients received bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks. Primary (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society >= 40% improvement (ASAS40)) and secondary endpoints were assessed at week 16. Here, efficacy and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) are reported up to week 24. Results: 254 patients with nr-axSpA and 332 with r-axSpA were randomised. At week 16, primary (ASAS40, nr-axSpA: 47.7% bimekizumab vs 21.4% placebo; r-axSpA: 44.8% vs 22.5%; p<0.001) and all ranked secondary endpoints were met in both trials. ASAS40 responses were similar across TNFi-naive and TNFi-inadequate responder patients. Improvements were observed in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) states and objective measures of inflammation, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MRI of the sacroiliac joints and spine. Most frequent TEAEs with bimekizumab (>3%) included nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, diarrhoea, headache and oral candidiasis. More fungal infections (all localised) were observed with bimekizumab vs placebo; no major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or active tuberculosis were reported. Incidence of uveitis and adjudicated inflammatory bowel disease was low. Conclusions: Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F with bimekizumab resulted in significant and rapid improvements in efficacy outcomes vs placebo and was well tolerated in patients with nr-axSpA and r-axSpA. Show less
Heijde, D. van der; Deodhar, A.; Baraliakos, X.; Brown, M.A.; Dobashi, H.; Dougados, M.; ... ; Xu, H.J. 2023
Objectives Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a complex disease with diverse manifestations, for which new treatment options are warranted. BE MOBILE 1 (non-radiographic (nr)-axSpA) and BE MOBILE 2... Show moreObjectives Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a complex disease with diverse manifestations, for which new treatment options are warranted. BE MOBILE 1 (non-radiographic (nr)-axSpA) and BE MOBILE 2 (radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA)) are double-blind, phase 3 trials designed to evaluate efficacy and safety of bimekizumab, a novel dual interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F inhibitor, across the axSpA spectrum.Methods In parallel 52-week trials, patients with active disease were randomised 1:1 (nr-axSpA) or 2:1 (r-axSpA) to bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks:placebo. From week 16, all patients received bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks. Primary (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society ≥40% improvement (ASAS40)) and secondary endpoints were assessed at week 16. Here, efficacy and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) are reported up to week 24.Results 254 patients with nr-axSpA and 332 with r-axSpA were randomised. At week 16, primary (ASAS40, nr-axSpA: 47.7% bimekizumab vs 21.4% placebo; r-axSpA: 44.8% vs 22.5%; p<0.001) and all ranked secondary endpoints were met in both trials. ASAS40 responses were similar across TNFi-naïve and TNFi-inadequate responder patients. Improvements were observed in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) states and objective measures of inflammation, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MRI of the sacroiliac joints and spine. Most frequent TEAEs with bimekizumab (>3%) included nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, diarrhoea, headache and oral candidiasis. More fungal infections (all localised) were observed with bimekizumab vs placebo; no major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or active tuberculosis were reported. Incidence of uveitis and adjudicated inflammatory bowel disease was low.Conclusions Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F with bimekizumab resulted in significant and rapid improvements in efficacy outcomes vs placebo and was well tolerated in patients with nr-axSpA and r-axSpA. Show less
Ramiro, S.; Nikiphorou, E.; Sepriano, A.; Ortolan, A.; Webers, C.; Baraliakos, X.; ... ; Heijde, D. van der 2022
Objectives To update the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods Following the EULAR... Show moreObjectives To update the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods Following the EULAR Standardised Operating Procedures, two systematic literature reviews were conducted on non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment of axSpA. In a task force meeting, the evidence was presented, discussed, and overarching principles and recommendations were updated, followed by voting. Results Five overarching principles and 15 recommendations with a focus on personalised medicine were agreed: eight remained unchanged from the previous recommendations; three with minor edits on nomenclature; two with relevant updates (#9, 12); two newly formulated (#10, 11). The first five recommendations focus on treatment target and monitoring, non-pharmacological management and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as first-choice pharmacological treatment. Recommendations 6-8 deal with analgesics and discourage long-term glucocorticoids and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for pure axial involvement. Recommendation 9 describes the indication of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs, that is, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17i)) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs, ie, Janus kinase inhibitors) for patients who have Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score >= 2.1 and failed >= 2 NSAIDs and also have either elevated C reactive protein, MRI inflammation of sacroiliac joints or radiographic sacroiliitis. Current practice is to start a TNFi or IL-17i. Recommendation 10 addresses extramusculoskeletal manifestations with TNF monoclonal antibodies preferred for recurrent uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease, and IL-17i for significant psoriasis. Treatment failure should prompt re-evaluation of the diagnosis and consideration of the presence of comorbidities (#11). If active axSpA is confirmed, switching to another b/tsDMARD is recommended (#12). Tapering, rather than immediate discontinuation of a bDMARD, can be considered in patients in sustained remission (#13). The last recommendations (#14, 15) deal with surgery and spinal fractures. Conclusions The 2022 ASAS-EULAR recommendations provide up-to-date guidance on the management of patients with axSpA. Show less
Baraliakos, X.; Ostergaard, M.; Lambert, R.G.W.; Eshed, I.; Machado, P.M.; Pedersen, S.J.; ... ; Maksymowych, W. 2022
Objectives: Spinal MRI is used to visualise lesions associated with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The ASAS MRI working group (WG) updated and validated the definitions for inflammatory and... Show moreObjectives: Spinal MRI is used to visualise lesions associated with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The ASAS MRI working group (WG) updated and validated the definitions for inflammatory and structural spinal lesions in the context of axSpA. Methods: After review of the existing literature on all possible types of spinal MRI pathologies in axSpA, the group (12 rheumatologists and two radiologists) consented on the required revisions of lesion definitions compared with the existing nomenclature of 2012. In a second step, using 62 MRI scans from the ASAS classification cohort, the proposed definitions were validated in a multireader campaign by global (absent/present) and detailed (inflammation and structural) lesion assessment at the vertebral corner (VC), vertebral endplate, facet joints, transverse processes, lateral and posterior elements. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for analysis. Results: Revisions were made for both inflammatory (bone marrow oedema, BMO) and structural (fat, erosion, bone spur and ankylosis) lesions, including localisation (central vs lateral), extension (VC vs vertebral endplate) and extent (minimum number of slices needed), while new definitions were suggested for the type of lesion based on lesion maturity (VC monomorphic vs dimorphic). The most reliably assessed lesions were VC fat lesion and VC monomorphic BMO (ICC (mean of all 36 reader pairs/overall 9 readers): 0.91/0.92; 0.70/0.67, respectively. Conclusions: The lesion definitions for spinal MRI lesions compatible with SpA were updated by consensus and validated by a group of experienced readers. The lesions with the highest frequency and best reliability were fat and monomorphic inflammatory lesions at the VC. Show less
Heijde, D. van der; Gensler, L.S.; Maksymowych, W.P.; Landewe, R.; Rudwaleit, M.; Bauer, L.; ... ; Deodhar, A. 2022
Background: 52-week results from C-axSpAnd demonstrated the safety and efficacy of certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and objective... Show moreBackground: 52-week results from C-axSpAnd demonstrated the safety and efficacy of certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and objective signs of inflammation (sacroiliitis on MRI and/or elevated C-reactive protein levels). Long-term safety and clinical outcomes, including MRI assessments, are evaluated up to 3 years for CZP-treated patients with nr-axSpA. Methods: C-axSpAnd was a phase 3 study comprising a 1-year double-blind, placebo-controlled period and 2-year open-label safety follow-up extension (SFE). At baseline, 317 patients were randomised 1:1 to placebo or CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks. Patients completing the double-blind phase who enrolled into the SFE received open-label CZP for an additional 104 weeks. Long-term safety and clinical outcomes are reported to Week 156. Continuous outcomes are presented as observed case (OC) and dichotomous outcomes as OC and with non-responder imputation. Results: 243/317 (76.7%) patients entered the SFE, during which 149 (61.3%) experienced Al treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE); 15 (3.3/100 patient-years) experienced serious TEAEs. Continuous outcome scores (including Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS]: 1.8; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI]: 2.7) at Week 52 were maintained at Week 156 (ASDAS: 1.8; BASDA1: 2.6) for the initial CZP-randomised group. Mean SPARCC MRI sacroiliac joint inflammation scores for these patients decreased at Week 52 (baseline: 7.6; Week 52: 1.7), remaining low at Week 156 (2.4).Conclusions: CZP treatment was well tolerated up to 3 years, with no new safety signals versus previous reports. Clinical outcomes achieved after 1 year were sustained to 3 years. Show less
Objectives. To determine quantitative SI joint MRI lesion cut-offs that optimally define a positive MRI for inflammatory and structural lesions typical of axial SpA (axSpA) and that predict... Show moreObjectives. To determine quantitative SI joint MRI lesion cut-offs that optimally define a positive MRI for inflammatory and structural lesions typical of axial SpA (axSpA) and that predict clinical diagnosis.Methods. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) MRI group assessed MRIs from the ASAS Classification Cohort in two reading exercises where (A) 169 cases and 7 central readers; (B) 107 cases and 8 central readers. We calculated sensitivity/specificity for the number of SI joint quadrants or slices with bone marrow oedema (BME), erosion, fat lesion, where a majority of central readers had high confidence there was a definite active or structural lesion. Cut-offs with >= 95% specificity were analysed for their predictive utility for follow-up rheumatologist diagnosis of axSpA by calculating positive/negative predictive values (PPVs/NPVs) and selecting cut-offs with PPV >= 95%.Results. Active or structural lesions typical of axSpA on MRI had PPVs >= 95% for clinical diagnosis of axSpA. Cut-offs that best reflected a definite active lesion typical of axSpA were either >= 4 SI joint quadrants with BME at any location or at the same location in >= 3 consecutive slices. For definite structural lesion, the optimal cut-offs were any one of >= 3 SI joint quadrants with erosion or >= 5 with fat lesions, erosion at the same location for >= 2 consecutive slices, fat lesions at the same location for >= 3 consecutive slices, or presence of a deep (i.e. >1 cm depth) fat lesion.Conclusion. We propose cut-offs for definite active and structural lesions typical of axSpA that have high PPVs for a long-term clinical diagnosis of axSpA for application in disease classification and clinical research. Show less
Protopopov, M.; Proft, F.; Sepriano, A.; Landewe, R.; Heijde, D. van der; Maksymowych, W.P.; ... ; Poddubnyy, D. 2021
Objectives The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) MRI working group conducted a multireader exercise on MRI scans from the ASAS classification cohort to assess the... Show moreObjectives The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) MRI working group conducted a multireader exercise on MRI scans from the ASAS classification cohort to assess the spectrum and evolution of lesions in the sacroiliac joint and impact of discrepancies with local readers on numbers of patients classified as axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).Methods Seven readers assessed baseline scans from 278 cases and 8 readers assessed baseline and follow-up scans from 107 cases. Agreement for detection of MRI lesions between central and local readers was assessed descriptively and by the kappa statistic. We calculated the number of patients classified as axSpA by the ASAS criteria after replacing local detection of active lesions by central readers and replacing local reader radiographic sacroiliitis by central reader structural lesions on MRI.Results Structural lesions, especially erosions, were as frequent as active lesions (approximate to 40%), the majority of patients having both types of lesions. The ASAS definitions for active MRI lesion typical of axSpA and erosion were comparatively discriminatory between axSpA and non-axSpA. Local reader overcall for active MRI lesions was about 30% but this had a minor impact on the number of patients (6.4%) classified as axSpA. Substitution of radiography with MRI structural lesions also had little impact on classification status (1.4%).Conclusion Despite substantial discrepancy between central and local readers in interpretation of both types of MRI lesion, this had a minor impact on the numbers of patients classified as axSpA supporting the robustness of the ASAS criteria for differences in assessment of imaging. Show less
Kiltz, U.; Landewe, R.B.M.; Heijde, D. van der; Rudwaleit, M.; Weisman, M.H.; Akkoc, N.; ... ; Braun, J. 2020
Objectives The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) aimed to develop a set of quality standards (QS) to help improve the quality of healthcare provided to adult patients... Show moreObjectives The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) aimed to develop a set of quality standards (QS) to help improve the quality of healthcare provided to adult patients affected by axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) worldwide.Methods An ASAS task force developed a set of QS using a stepwise approach. First, key areas for quality improvement were identified, discussed, rated and agreed on. Thereafter, areas were prioritised and statements for the most important key areas were phrased on consensus. Appropriate quality measures were defined to allow quantification of the QS at the community level.Results The ASAS task force, consisting of 20 rheumatologists, two physiotherapists and two patients, selected and proposed 34 potential key areas for quality improvement which were then commented by 140 ASAS members and patients. Within that process three new key areas came up, which led to a re-evaluation of all 37 key areas by 120 ASAS members and patients. Five key areas were identified as most important to determine quality of care: referral including rapid access, rheumatology assessment, treatment, education/self-management and comorbidities. Finally, nine QS were agreed on and endorsed by the whole ASAS membership.Conclusions ASAS successfully developed the first set of QS to help improving healthcare for adult patients with axSpA. Even though it may currently not be realistic to achieve the QS in all healthcare systems, they provide high-quality of care framework for patients with axSpA that should be aimed for. Show less
Objectives. A positive family history (PFH) of spondyloarthritis, in particular a PFH of AS or acute anterior uveitis, is associated with HLA-B27 carriership in chronic back pain patients. As it is... Show moreObjectives. A positive family history (PFH) of spondyloarthritis, in particular a PFH of AS or acute anterior uveitis, is associated with HLA-B27 carriership in chronic back pain patients. As it is unknown, the study aimed to investigate if a PFH contributes to diagnosing axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) once HLA-B27 status is known.Methods. In axSpA-suspected patients from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS), DEvenir des Spondyloarthropathies Indifferenciees Recentes (DESIR) and SPondyloArthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohorts, logistic regression analyses were performed with HLA-B27 status and PFH according to the ASAS definition (ASAS-PFH) as determinants and clinical axSpA diagnosis as outcome at baseline. Analyses were repeated with a PFH of AS or acute anterior uveitis.Results. In total, 1818 patients suspected of axSpA were analysed (ASAS n = 594, DESIR n = 647, and SPACE n = 577). In patients from the ASAS, DESIR and SPACE cohorts, respectively 23%, 39% and 38% had an ASAS-PFH, 52%, 58% and 43% were HLA-B27 positive, and 62%, 47% and 54% were diagnosed with axSpA. HLA-B27 was independently associated with an axSpA diagnosis in each cohort but an ASAS-PFH was not [ASAS cohort: HLA-B27 odds ratio (OR): 6.9 (95% CI: 4.7, 10.2), ASAS-PFH OR: 0.9 (95% CI: 0.6, 1.4); DESIR: HLA-B27 OR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.9), ASAS-PFH OR: 1.0 (95% CI 0.7, 1.3); SPACE: HLA-B27 OR: 10.4 (95% CI: 6.9, 15.7), ASAS-PFH OR: 1.0 (95% CI: 0.7, 1.5)]. Similar negative results were found for PFH of AS and acute anterior uveitis.Conclusion. In three independent cohorts with different ethnical backgrounds, ASAS, DESIR and SPACE, a PFH was not associated independently of HLA-B27 with a diagnosis of axSpA. This indicates that in the vast majority of patients presenting with back pain, a PFH does not contribute to the likelihood of an axSpA diagnosis if HLA-B27 status is known. Show less
Deodhar, A.; Gensler, L.S.; Kay, J.; Maksymowych, W.P.; Haroon, N.; Landewe, R.; ... ; Heijde, D. van der 2019
Objective The natural history of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is incompletely characterized, and there are concerns that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs provide inadequate... Show moreObjective The natural history of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is incompletely characterized, and there are concerns that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs provide inadequate disease control in patients with active disease. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of certolizumab pegol (CZP), an anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment, in patients with nonradiographic axial SpA with objective signs of inflammation. Methods In this ongoing parallel-group double-blind study, adults with active disease were recruited from 80 centers in Australia, Europe, North America, and Taiwan, and were randomized 1:1 to receive placebo or CZP (400 mg at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by 200 mg every 2 weeks) in addition to nonbiologic background medication (NBBM). Switching to open-label CZP (or other biologic) or making background medication changes was permitted at any point during the trial, although changes before week 12 were discouraged. The primary end point was the proportion of patients achieving major improvement (MI) (i.e., a >= 2.0-point decrease in the score from baseline or achievement of the lowest possible score [0.6]) in the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) at week 52. Results A total of 317 patients were randomized to receive placebo plus NBBM (n = 158) or CZP plus NBBM (n = 159). ASDAS-MI at week 52 was achieved in 47.2% (75 of 159) of CZP plus NBBM patients, which was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) than the 7.0% (11 of 158) of placebo plus NBBM patients in whom ASDAS-MI was achieved. Of the placebo plus NBBM patients, 60.8% (96 of 158) switched to open-label treatment before week 52 compared to 12.6% (20 of 159) of the CZP plus NBBM patients. Conclusion Adding CZP to background medication is superior to adding placebo in patients with active nonradiographic axial SpA. These results indicate that remission in nonradiographic axial SpA treated without biologics occurs infrequently, demonstrating the need for treatment beyond nonbiologic therapy. Show less
Sepriano, A.; Ramiro, S.; Landewe, R.; Dougados, M.; Heijde, D. van der; Rudwaleit, M. 2019
