Abstract
Objective: To clarify if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could retard the disease progression of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods: A systematic search of Embase, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT) databases was conducted. Structural damage of AS was evaluated using spinal radiographs to assess modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS).Results: Five full-text papers (from 2 prospective and 2 retrospective studies) were included. Of the 4 studies deemed relevant, 3 reported no significant inhibition of spinal progression in AS patients treated continuously with NSAIDs, as determined by radiograph over 2–3 years. Only the 1st prospective randomized trial demonstrated that 2-year continuous use of celecoxib reduced mean changes in mSASSS of AS patients compared with on-demand treatment. However, the dosage difference of celecoxib between the two groups in the study seemed to be too small to elicit such differences in radiographic progression, while the therapy did not elicit any differences in disease activity, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels or global pain. Of the 3 studies that reported radiographic progression in the subgroup with elevated CRP, only post-hoc analysis of the 1st randomized study revealed that the patients treated continuously with NSAIDs had less radiological progression than those using on-demand NSAIDs. In 2 studies that reported radiographic progression in the patient subgroup with baseline syndesmophytes, both reported that there was no significant inhibition of progression of mSASSS in patients who had received continuous NSAID treatment compared with patients given on-demand NSAIDs.Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that NSAIDs are unable to delay radiographic progression of AS even in patients with elevated CRP levels.
Highlights
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic form of inflammatory arthritis that most often affects the spine, and results in loss of mobility and function
In 2 studies that reported radiographic progression in the patient subgroup with baseline syndesmophytes, both reported that there was no significant inhibition of progression of modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) in patients who had received continuous Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treatment compared with patients given on-demand NSAIDs
The available evidence suggests that NSAIDs are unable to delay radiographic progression of AS even in patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic form of inflammatory arthritis that most often affects the spine, and results in loss of mobility and function. This disorder is characterized by syndesmophytes that form along the rim of the vertebral bodies and ankylosis of the spine [1, 2]. The primary goal of treatment for AS patients is to optimize the long-term quality of life by reducing the degree of inflammation, as well as delaying structural changes of the disease. There is some conflicting evidence as to whether or not long-term treatment with NSAIDs delays the development of damage to the spine [7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. The aims of this review were to analyze the background, methodology employed and findings of published studies to determine whether NSAIDs possess disease-modifying properties in patients with AS
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