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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
04:47
Du-Moxibustion in a Mouse Model of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Published on: October 27, 2023
Anti-TNF-alpha therapy for ankylosing spondylitis
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea. jhson@ns.kosinmed.or.kr
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
|March 2, 2010
Summary
Etanercept significantly improved ankylosing spondylitis (AS) symptoms, including pain and stiffness, in patients refractory to conventional therapy. Close monitoring for infections is recommended due to potential complications.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- Conventional therapies may not be effective for all AS patients.
- Etanercept is a biologic agent targeting tumor necrosis factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of etanercept in AS patients.
- To assess symptom improvement and inflammatory markers.
- To identify potential adverse events associated with etanercept treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of 11 AS patients refractory to conventional therapy.
- Treatment with etanercept over a mean follow-up of 13.6 months.
- Assessment using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), inflammatory markers, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in mean BASDAI from 7.1 to 4.2 (p=0.001).
- Significant decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein.
- Greatest symptom improvement in enthesitis, skin involvement, and morning stiffness. One case of serious infection reported.
Conclusions:
- Etanercept demonstrates significant efficacy in improving AS symptoms with manageable safety profile.
- Tumor necrosis factor inhibition is indicated for AS patients with inadequate response to conventional DMARDs.
- Patients on etanercept require education on infection risks and close monitoring.
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