News

People with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) often endure considerable psychological distress — including depression, anxiety, and stress — that is related to their experience of pain, a study shows. These findings highlight a need for more mental health resources for people with this disorder, the researchers said. The study, “…

Same But Different, a nonprofit U.K. group that uses art for social change, is inviting people to choose their favorite photographs in a calendar contest to heighten awareness of rare diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The organization’s panel of judges has pared the number of contest submissions…

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a safe and effective treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), producing similar results in Chinese patients compared to other populations, a Phase 3 study indicates. The study, “Secukinumab provided significant and sustained improvement in the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis,” was published…

Obesity is a risk factor for worse overall health in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and is associated with increased inflammation, disease activity, and cardiovascular risk, a Taiwanese study has found. Therefore, preventing obesity in these patients is important to help improve their disease outcomes, researchers said. The…

Treatment with Cosentyx (secukinumab) leads to sustained reductions in symptoms of active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) over one year, according to the Phase 3 PREVENT trial.  These findings were the basis for Cosentyx’s recent approval…

Same But Different, a U.K. nonprofit that uses the arts to bring communities together, is holding a calendar photography competition to raise awareness for rare diseases. Under the theme “A Glimmer of Hope,” the competition is a means to “visually express the hope that exists for people affected by…

AbbVie has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the approval of Rinvoq (upadacitinib) for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A separate application was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) by AbbVie earlier this year,…

Raremark, an online rare disease patient community, has launched a digital platform called Xperiome, aimed at streamlining the search for new medicines for rare disorders and incorporating more patient input into research. The goal is to help the pharmaceutical industry deliver innovative new therapies faster and smarter, the…

Disease progression slowed significantly in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) when they were on TNF inhibitors, compared to when they were off the medications, a long-term study has found. This protection from bone damage remained significant even after accounting for factors that influence the progression of radiologic disease.

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases has launched a scholarship fund in the U.S. to support individuals with rare disorders who are pursuing personal goals through training and education. The initial phase of the five-year, $1-million #RAREis Scholarship Fund will include 32 scholarships — each totaling $5,000 —…