News

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 —…

Treatments blocking interleukin (IL)-17A, the so-called IL-17 inhibitors, can effectively ease symptoms in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but also increase the risk of mild to moderate infections, a review study reports. The data show that IL-17 inhibitors — such as Novartis’ Cosentyx (secukinumab) and Eli Lilly’s Taltz…

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of a rare disease film festival originally slated for May, its organizers set out to find a new way to bring the films to an audience.  Co-founders Daniel DeFabio and Bo Bigelow, who are both fathers of children with…

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) has been given a diagnostic code, M46.80, that will be used to identify the condition in the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), a repository that contains the official codes of all types of diseases. The updated ICD-10-CM document containing…

Nearly one year of treatment with Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) led to sustained disease remission and a better quality of life in adults with early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), according to data from a Phase 3b clinical trial. Notably, people with either axSpA subtype (radiographic and non-radiographic) showed comparable responses,…

An under-the-skin injectable formulation of Remsima (infliximab), called Remsima SC, has been approved in European Union for the treatment of five autoimmune disorders, including ankylosing spondylitis. The approval by the European Commission also covers Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis,…

On days when they are more mindful or engaged in meaningful activities, people with ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis experience less impairment due to fatigue, a study suggests. The study, “Understanding fatigue‐related disability in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: The importance of daily correlates,” was…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Hulio, a biosimilar of Humira (adalimumab), to treat chronic inflammatory disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis. However, Hulio (adalimumab-fkjp) — developed by Mylan and Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics — will not be available in the U.S. until July 31,…

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases has launched a nationwide National Burden of Rare Disease Survey to measure the full implications, economic and social, of living with rare disease in the United States. People with rare diseases know that the impacts of such conditions extend beyond just medical…