12/19/2003
Researchers sought to evaluate the usefulness and safety of long-term infliximab (Remicade) therapy in people with severe, hard-to-treat ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Infliximab is a tumor-necrosis factor-alpha medication currently approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, yet some doctors prescribe it for use in people with AS.
T. I. Temekonidis and colleagues from the University of Ioannina, Greece, published results in a recent issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Participant Breakdown and Study Set-Up
Patients received infliximab (5 mg/kg) intravenously at weeks 0, 2, 6 and every 8 weeks thereafter for 12 months. The primary end point was the reduction of patients’ global assessment of pain (GAP) by over 20%.
Results GAP was reduced by more than 20% in 23 (92%) patients, by 50% in 21 (84%) patients, and by 70% in 13 (52%) patients.
The change in BASDAI and CRP from the beginning of the study to the end was statistically significant.
Infliximab treatment was well tolerated with minimal side effects. One patient dropped out because the medication was not helping him, and another person stopped treatment owing to an allergic reaction.
Researchers concluded that the longer length study confirms the usefulness of infliximab and the good safety profile in people with AS.
Learn More About Infliximab Visit the Spondylitis Association of America’s Medications section.
Source: Infliximab therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: an open label 12 month study.” Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2003; 62: 1218-1220.