News

Reducing the dose of TNF blockers by about half is nearly as effective as the standard dose taken by ankylosing spondylitis patients who are in stable remission, a clinical trial shows. Reducing dosage could also potentially reduce side effects. The study, “Non-inferiority of…

Overall, patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to the general population, a new study shows. However, the risk is particularly high for AS patients who are female, older than 65, and have abnormal fat levels in the blood (dyslipidemia). The study with those findings,…

A six-month course of treatment with Janssen‘s Simponi (golimumab) or Remicade (infliximab) significantly reduced the use of healthcare resources and increased work productivity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to a study. The study, “Treatment with golimumab or infliximab reduces health resource utilization and increases…

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to develop venous thromboembolism — a condition in which a blood clot that forms in a vein can cause a heart attack or stroke — compared to the general population, a study has found. The research, “Risk of venous thromboembolism in…

Stopping treatment with infliximab (brand names, Remsima, Remicade) can lead to relapses in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who are in stable clinical remission, according to a 12-month study. Reintroduction of infliximab treatment is safe; however, it does not result in the same clinical response prior to treatment withdrawal in a significant…

Despite being rare, kidney complications should be considered in patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), such as Remicade (infliximab), according to a case report. The study, “Infliximab-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis,” was published in Rheumatology…

While serum levels of sclerostin — a protein that regulates bone formation — are identical in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy individuals, serum BMP-2 levels are higher in patients, suggesting a link between these bone-promoting cells and disease development, a meta-analysis study has found. The study, “Serum Sclerostin…

Treatment with Simponi Aria (golimumab) for one year reduced the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) among adult patients with active disease, Phase 3 trial data show. The study, “Safety and efficacy of intravenous golimumab in adults with ankylosing spondylitis: Results through 1 year of the GO-ALIVE…

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…

Gender-based differences in fecal metabolites in ankylosing spondylitis patients may provide clues about differences regarding male versus female disease progression. The study with that finding, “GC-MS-based fecal metabolomics reveals gender-attributed fecal signatures in ankylosing spondylitis,” was published in Scientific Reports. There are a number of differences in how…