Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients using tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blocking agents and present the data on the efficacy and safety of this treatment in clinical practice. METHODS: AS patients using TNF-α blockers for at least six months were included in this retrospective study. We analysed efficacy and safety of the anti-TNF-α drugs with regular clinical observation. Adverse events were recorded. Reasons for treatment discontinuation were also closely followed-up. All patients received a comprehensive rheumatologic assessment at baseline and were monitored repeatedly in every three months in routine clinic practice with AS spesific disease indexes as well as laboratory tests. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients with AS were reviewed of whom 26 were male and 15 were female, with a mean age of 43.22 years. The number of AS patients who were treated with etanercept was 18 (43.9%), adalimumab was 15 (36.6%), golimumab was 3 (7.3%) and finally infliximab was 5 (12.2%). Mean duration of the TNF-α bloker usage for AS patients was 39.56 months. Seven of 11 (26.8%) AS patients who failed first anti-TNF-α therapy were switched to another anti-TNF-α agent. On the other hand four AS patients gave up anti-TNF-α therapy. AS spesific disease index scores and laboratory tests were improved at the third and the sixth months when compared with the scores at the initiation of the TNF-α bloker therapy.CONCLUSION: Follow-up of patients with AS in our clinical setting showed that anti-TNF therapy is an effective and safe way of treatment with good adherence rates.

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