Efficacy of Yisaipu tapering in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Yisaipu tapering in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 87 cases of AS patients from Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital who were treated with Yisaipu and celecoxib were retrospectively analyzed from February 2013 to April 2017.All patients received full dose Yisaipu and celecoxib in the initial 12 weeks.After that, the patients in the full dose group maintained Yisaipu (50 mg/w) treatment from the 13(rd) to 24(th) week, while tapering group received Yisaipu 50 mg subcutaneous injection once every other week.By using AS disease activity score (ASDAS), Bath AS functional index (BASFI) and magnetic resonance (MR) score of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) plus recording adverse events, differences of efficacy and safety between groups were compared. Results: ASDAS and BASFI of tapering group were 1.1±0.7 and 1.3±1.1, while those of full dose group were 1.0±0.7 and 1.1±1.0, respectively.No significant difference of ASDAS or BASFI was found between groups.Besides, the MR scores of tapering and full dose groups were 8±7 and 8±6 respectively before therapy, while they were significantly lower in the 24(th) week (4±4 and 4±3, P<0.05). However, changes of MR score between groups were similar (P>0.05). Conclusion: Dose tapering of Yisaipu subcutaneous injection might be effective for keeping stable of disease activity and function in patients with AS.Its efficacy is similar to those of full dose Yisaipu.