Author Archives: Iqra Mumal, MSc

High levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammation, at the onset of back pain can help predict which patients go on to develop ankylosing spondylitis, a study shows. The study, “Baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein predicts the risk of incident ankylosing spondylitis: Results of a community-based prospective study,”…

The presence of a specific genetic marker called HLA-B27 in Caucasian ankylosing spondylitis patients is related to earlier disease onset and higher disease prevalence among family members, a study has found. However, according to the research, being HLAB27-positive is not related to a higher burden of disease or uveitis (inflammation of the eye).

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with anti-rheumatic drugs or anti-tumor necrosis therapy are not more likely to develop infections compared to non-users, a study shows. The study, “Use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic or anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs and risk of hospitalized infection in ankylosing spondylitis,” was published in the…

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have differences in the diversity of the fungi and bacterial populations that reside in the gut compared with healthy individuals, a study shows. The study, “Altered Bacteria-Fungi Inter-Kingdom Network in Gut of Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients,” was published in the journal bioRxiv. While the…

Anti-TNF therapy and other biologics — often used for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis — partially protect ankylosing spondylitis patients from heart disease, according to Australian researchers. Their study, “Biologics and cardiovascular events in inflammatory arthritis: a prospective national cohort study,” was published the journal Arthritis Research…

Inhibiting IL-23, a molecule involved in inflammation, was not found to be clinically meaningful to treat ankylosing spondylitis, according to the results from a Phase 2 trial. The study, “Risankizumab, an IL-23 inhibitor, for ankylosing spondylitis: results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept, dose-finding phase 2 study,” was…

Treatment with Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody Taltz (ixekizumab) significantly improved the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis in patients participating in a Phase 3 clinical trial, results show. The study, called COAST-W (NCT02696798), met its primary and major secondary endpoints, Eli Lilly said in a news release. COAST-W, the second Phase 3…

Social media data has allowed scientists to examine ankylosing spondylitis patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding biologic therapies. The study, “Patients’ Concerns and Perceptions Regarding Biologic Therapies in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Insights from a Large-Scale Survey of Social Media Platforms,” was published in the journal Arthritis Care &…

Ankylosing spondylitis patients who receive tailored, personalized services, such as care coach calls, have a higher probability of achieving controlled disease within six to 18 months, a study shows. The study, “Impact of the Adalimumab Patient Support Program on Clinical Outcomes in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results from the…

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to develop a lung disorder known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to the rest of the population, according to researchers. Their study, “The link between COPD and ankylosing spondylitis: A population based study,” was published in the European…