Author Archives: Marisa Wexler MS

The efficacy of TNF inhibitors in slowing disease progression in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may be underestimated due to inflammation when treatment is started, new research suggests. The findings were presented in a session, titled “Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors Slow Radiologic Progression in Patients…

Treatment with Taltz (ixekizumab) reduces fatigue and pain in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) for up to one year, results from two Phase 3 trials show. The data were discussed at the 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Association for Rheumatology Professionals Annual Meeting in a presentation, titled…

Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb), a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with seven inflammatory diseases, including adults with ankylosing spondylitis. Pfizer, the company that developed Abrilada, expects the therapy to be available in the U.S. starting in 2023.

Treatment with the experimental therapy bimekizumab is safe and shows sustained efficacy over 48 weeks in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), data from a Phase 2b trial show. In addition, the use of biologic therapies for AS is associated with more comorbidities and higher use of other treatments…

The European Commission has approved a label update for Cosentyx (secukinumab) that will allow healthcare providers to prescribe doses of up to 300 mg — twice what was previously approved — for people with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Cosentyx, developed and marketed by Novartis, is a…

Depression is more common among people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) than in the general population, with about a third of patients experiencing depressive symptoms, a meta-analysis reveals. The study, “Prevalence of Depression in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” was published in the…

People who are diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are more likely to have had tonsillitis than those without this disease, a study found, suggesting that tonsillitis might predispose a person for AS. “Association between tonsillitis and newly diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide, population-based, case-control study” was published…

Self-harm is more common in people diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis compared with the general population, a study reveals, suggesting the need for better mental health monitoring and support for patients after such a diagnosis. The data were presented at the 2018 Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) in a…

In Italy, Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a cost-saving treatment for ankylosing spondylitis, as well as for psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, according to a new study. The results were published in the journal ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research in a paper titled, “Budget impact…

High levels of the protein chitotriosidase in the blood are associated with more disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis patients. This protein might be a useful prognostic marker. The study, “Serum chitotriosidase and neopterin levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,” was published in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. Chitotriosidase is…