News

Long-term Brodalumab Treatment for axSpA Supported by Phase 3 Data

Long-term treatment with under-the-skin injections of brodalumab safely and effectively reduced disease activity in people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), according to final data from a Phase 3 trial. axSpA is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting the joints of the spine, chest, and pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is…

Rare, Destructive Andersson Lesion Found in Man, 79, With AS: Report

Researchers are reporting the rare case of an Andersson lesion — a destructive spinal lesion without history of trauma — in a 79-year-old man in Greece with undiagnosed ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Rarer still, the lesion likely was caused by an infection and partial paralysis. This case is believed to…

Bimekizumab Now Under Review in Europe for Axial Spondyloarthritis

The European Medicines Agency has agreed to review UCB’s applications seeking the approval of bimekizumab for adults with active axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Axial spondyloarthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis affecting the joints of the spine, chest, and pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a severe type of axSpA,…

TNF Inhibitor Side Effects Occur at Similar Rates in Rheumatic Diseases

Side effects to anti-TNF therapies are as common and similar among people with ankylosing spondylitis as they are among other rheumatic diseases, a new study indicates. The study, “Disease-specific ADRs of TNF-[alpha] inhibitors as reported by patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a registry-based prospective multicenter cohort study,” was…

Sex Differences Found in axSpA Diagnosis, Disease Severity: Study

Women with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are diagnosed significantly later compared to men, according to a new study. The presence of widespread pain and arthritis were the early symptoms most commonly found in women and linked with a diagnosis delay. The study, “Gender-related differences in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)…

AS Led to Rare Ankle, Foot Bone Fusion for Man, 69: Case Study

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) led to bone formation that resulted in the rare complete fusion of ankle and foot bones in a 69-year-old man, a case study reported. His AS was discovered only after hospitalization for kidney problems and an examination for gout. The researchers suggested the terminology “boot sign”…

Blood Levels of GM-CSF Rise With Disease Activity in AS Patients

High levels of the pro-inflammatory molecule GM-CSF were found in the bloodstream of people with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and strongly correlated with disease activity, a pilot study suggested. Despite helping to lower disease activity, anti-TNF therapies did not affect GM-SCF levels. As such, GM-SCF may represent a…

Study’s Machine-learning Algorithm Could Help Diagnose AS Sooner

A new algorithm based on artificial intelligence (AI) could help clinicians reach an earlier diagnosis of akylosing spondylitis (AS), a study found. Using only demographic and clinical data derived from standard blood tests, the method does not require more costly and less widely available imaging techniques, researchers say. The algorithm…