This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
NSAIDs, TNFi may synergistically slow progression of spondylitis
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
WASHINGTON — According to data presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting, NSAIDs and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors may have a synergistic effect in slowing radiographic progression of ankylosing spondylitis.
“We showed a relationship between high-dose NSAIDs and [tumor necrosis factor] TNF inhibitor use in [ankylosing spondylitis] AS,” Lianne S. Gensler, MD, in the Divisions of Medicine and Rheumatology at the University of California, San Francisco, said in her presentation. “TNF inhibitors and NSAIDs may have a synergistic effect.”
Gensler and colleagues assessed 527 patients from a prospective cohort with at least 2 years of follow-up. Overall, 75.7% of patients were male. Patients had a mean age of 42.5 years. Investigators defined progression as at least a 2-unit increase in the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) after 24 months. The baseline median mSASSS was 5.36, and patients were followed for a mean of 4.29 years. NSAIDs were used in 78% of patients and TNF inhibitors (TNFi) were used in 58.4%. Researchers determined associations between TNFi use and NSAID use with radiographic progression.
Of the 1,413 total visits, 38% had an NSAID index of 0; 29% had an index no greater than 50; and 23% had an index greater than 50, which was considered high dose. The researchers found slower progression among patients who took TNFi and high-dose NSAIDs (odds ratio = 0.17). – by Will Offit
Reference:
Gensler LS, et al. Abstract #1956. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting; Nov. 11-16, 2016; Washington.
Disclosure: Gensler reports funds from Janssen Scientific Affairs LLC, Amgen, UCB, AbbVie, Novartis and Janssen Pharmaceutica Product L.P.