The effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor-α blockertherapy in patients with axial spondyloarthritis who failed conventional treatment: a comparative study focused on improvement in ASAS Health Index
- Author:
Ah-Ra CHOI
1
;
Ki-Jeong PARK
;
Ji-Hyoun KANG
;
Yu Jeong LEE
;
Hyun Hee JANG
;
Moon-Ju KIM
;
Tae-Jong KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2024;31(3):171-177
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α blocker therapy on the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS-HI) among patients who have failed conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Methods:A comparative study was conducted involving axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients treated with either TNF-α blocker or conventional therapy. Patient data, including demographics, disease characteristics, and ASAS-HI scores, were collected before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to compare changes in ASAS-HI scores between the TNF-α blocker and the conventional therapy group.
Results:The study population consisted of patients with axSpA, with a mean age of 38.3 years in conventional treatment group and 29.3 years in TNF-α blocker group. Most variables, including C-reactive protein levels, other comorbidities, and disease assessment scores showed no significant difference between groups. Longitudinal analysis within each treatment group from Week 0 to 12 showed no significant change in the conventional treatment group, whereas the TNF-α blocker group experienced a significant reduction in ASAS-HI scores, demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment. The TNF-α blocker group exhibited a significantly greater improvement in ASAS-HI scores compared to the conventional therapy group. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index demonstrated strong positive correlations with ASAS-HI scores, indicating higher disease activity and functional limitation are associated with worse health outcomes in patients.
Conclusion:The research demonstrates that ASAS-HI scores significantly improve with TNF-α blocker therapy in axSpA patients, underscoring ASAS-HI's effectiveness as a tool for evaluating drug responses.
