The effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor-α blocker therapy in patients with axial spondyloarthritis who failed conventional treatment: a comparative study focused on improvement in ASAS Health Index

• Published in: Journal of rheumatic diseases Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 171 - 177
• Main Authors: Choi, Ah-Ra, Park, Ki-Jeong, Kang, Ji-Hyoun, Lee, Yu Jeong, Jang, Hyun Hee, Kim, Moon-Ju, Kim, Tae-Jong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean College of Rheumatology 01.07.2024; 대한류마티스학회
• Subjects: Original; 내과학; Axial spondyloarthritis; Tumor necrosis factor-α blocker; Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index
• ISSN: 2093-940X; 2233-4718
• DOI: 10.4078/jrd.2024.0029

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. 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. 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. 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.