Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score Scores Research Articles

Short-Term Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Sulfasalazine in the Management of Axial Spondyloarthropathy.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory spondyloarthropathy that involves the sacroiliac joints and the axial skeleton. Sulfasalazine's efficacy in treating the axial symptoms of AS has been a subject of controversy. This prospective observational study recruited AS patients and categorized them into two groups: the first group had AS for less than or equal to four years and the second group had AS for more than four years. Erythrocytic sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were recorded at baseline and at six-month follow-up. Disease severity was assessed using the ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) score, and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) score. A total of 33 patients diagnosed with AS were recruited in this study, mostly males (88%) and within 21-30 years of age. ESR and CRP values were measured at baseline and at six months post-treatment with sulfasalazine. Mean ESR and mean CRP values showed a statistically significant reduction of 43.5% (p=0.001) and 58.45% (p=0.0012) respectively, at the 6-month follow-up. Four patients (12.12%) reported gastrointestinal intolerance. The mean reduction in the ASDAS score was 24% (p=0.002), the BASDAI score was 40.08% (p=0.001), and the BASFI score was 39.54% (p=0.01). Additionally, the duration of symptoms did not appear to influence with efficacy of sulfasalazine. Sulfasalazine is a safe alternative therapy for patients with AS who cannot afford biologics, due to its reasonable short-term efficacy, good tolerability, cost-effective nature, and low incidence of adverse effects.

The BASDAI Cut-Off for Disease Activity Corresponding to the ASDAS Scores in a Taiwanese Cohort of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

ObjectivesThe Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) has been widely utilized to evaluate disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by an arbitrary cut-off of ≥4 to indicate high disease activity and initiate biological therapy. The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) is a new composite index to assess AS disease activity states that have been defined and validated. ASDAS ≥2.1 was selected as a criterion to start biological therapy. The purpose of this study was to estimate the corresponding BASDAI and ASDAS cut-off in a Taiwanese AS cohort.MethodsFrom November 2016 to October 2018, we assessed the ASDAS and the BASDAI regularly and recorded demographic data for 489 AS patients in Taichung Veterans General hospital (TCVGH) using an electronic patient-reported data system linked to electronic medical records. We used receiver operating characteristic curves with Youden's J statistic to determine the BASDAI values that correspond to ASDAS disease activity cut-offs (i.e., 1.3, 2.1, and 3.5).ResultsIn our population, the best trade-off BASDAI values corresponding to ASDAS -C-reactive protein (CRP) 1.3, 2.1, and 3.5 were 2.1, 3.1, and 3.7, respectively. The optimal BASDAI values corresponding to ASDAS-erythrocyte sedimentation rates 1.3, 2.1, and 3.5 were 2.0, 2.6, and 4.8, respectively.ConclusionWe propose a revised BASDAI cut-off based on our data, as BASDAI scores are commonly used globally. A more reasonable, lower BASDAI cut-off to initiate or change biological therapy will bring us closer to better decisions to treat AS patients.

Efficacy of guselkumab on axial involvement in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and sacroiliitis: a post-hoc analysis of the phase 3 DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2 studies.

Guselkumab was efficacious in reducing signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in the phase 3 DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2 studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of guselkumab in post-hoc analyses of patients with psoriatic arthritis with imaging-confirmed sacroiliitis consistent with axial involvement. In DISCOVER-1, 381 patients with active psoriatic arthritis (defined as ≥3 swollen joints, ≥3 tender joints, and C-reactive protein [CRP] ≥0·3 mg/dL) and in DISCOVER-2, 739 patients with active psoriatic arthritis (defined as ≥5 swollen joints, ≥5 tender joints, and CRP ≥0·6 mg/dL) were randomly allocated to receive guselkumab 100 mg every 4 weeks, guselkumab 100 mg every 8 weeks (week 0, week 4, then every 8 weeks), or placebo. These pooled, post-hoc analyses included patients with axial disease documented by previous imaging or pelvic radiography at screening consistent with sacroiliitis (confirmed by investigator). Efficacy assessments included least squares mean changes, with 95% CIs, in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score, modified BASDAI (mBASDAI; excluding peripheral joint pain), spinal pain, and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and proportions of patients achieving at least a 50% improvement in BASDAI score (BASDAI50) and achieving ASDAS responses of inactive disease (score <1·3), major improvement (change of ≥2·0), and clinically important improvement (change of ≥1·1). Of the 1120 patients in the two DISCOVER studies, 312 (28%) were included in this analysis, of whom 118 were in the placebo group, 103 were in the guselkumab every 4 weeks group, and 91 were in the guselkumab every 8 weeks group. 191 (61%) were male, and 121 (39%) were female, and the mean age was 45·1 (SD 11·2). HLA-B27 status was assessed in 190 patients; 57 (30%) were HLA-B27-positive and 133 (70%) were HLA-B27-negative. At week 24, least squares mean changes from baseline in BASDAI were -2·7 (95% CI -3·2 to -2·2) in both guselkumab groups versus -1·3 (-1·8 to -0·9) in the placebo group; similar results were observed for mBASDAI and spinal pain. Least squares mean changes in ASDAS scores at week 24 were -1·4 (95% CI -1·7 to -1·2) in both guselkumab groups and -0·7 (-0·9 to -0·5) for placebo. At week 24, 36 (38%) patients in the guselkumab every 4 weeks group and 34 (40%) of those in the guselkumab every 8 weeks group achieved BASDAI50 versus 21 (19%) of placebo patients; greater proportions of guselkumab-treated patients achieved ASDAS responses versus placebo. Across outcomes, separation from placebo was observed at week 8. Improvements with guselkumab were seen at week 24 independent of HLA-B27 status. These improvements were maintained at week 52 in the guselkumab groups. Patients with active psoriatic arthritis and imaging-confirmed sacroiliitis who were treated with guselkumab every 4 weeks or every 8 weeks had greater mean improvements in BASDAI and ASDAS (as early as week 8) than did placebo-treated participants, with sustained improvements at week 52. Janssen Research & Development LLC.

Performance of 3 Composite Measures for Disease Activity in Peripheral Spondyloarthritis.

To investigate concurrent validity and discrimination of the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score, Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) in peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) in clinical practice. Data from a Dutch registry for SpA (SpA-Net) were used. Predefined hypotheses on concurrent validity of the composite measures with 15 other outcome measures of disease activity, physical function, and health-related quality of life were tested. Concurrent validity was considered acceptable if ≥ 75% of the hypotheses were confirmed. Discrimination was assessed by stratifying patients in DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS predefined disease activity states and studying mean differences in health outcomes by 1-way ANOVA. Further, the concordance in disease activity states was determined. All analyses were repeated in subgroups with and without psoriasis (PsO). DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS scores were available for 191, 139, and 279 patients with pSpA, respectively. The concurrent validity and discrimination of all composite measures were acceptable, as the strength of correlations were as hypothesized in ≥ 75% of the studied correlations. With increasing disease activity states, scores in nearly all outcome measures worsened significantly. The DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS classified 22%, 56%, and 48% of the patients, respectively, in the 2 highest disease activity states. Stratified analyses for concomitant PsO revealed no relevant subgroup differences. The performance of DAPSA, PASDAS, and ASDAS in pSpA was acceptable, and independent of concomitant PsO. Due to discrepancy in classification, the validity of existing thresholds for disease activity states warrants further study in pSpA.

The Delay of Diagnosis in Spondyloarthropathy Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

ObjectiveSeronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of rheumatological disorders that share the common feature of being rheumatoid factor negative. Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint is considered the hallmark of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). On the other hand, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects patients with psoriasis. It is characterized by asymmetrical oligoarticular arthritis. Involvement of the distal interphalangeal joint is a unique feature of PsA. Enteropathic arthritis (EnA) involves the presence of inflammatory arthropathy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These diseases are strongly associated with the HLA-B27 gene. Although they are significantly disabling, their diagnosis has been frequently delayed. Early diagnosis is associated with early treatment, and thus better disease outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic delay (DD), that is, the duration between onset of symptoms and diagnosis, of SpA patients and its relation to the demographic characteristics, disease activity, measured by ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS) and bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) scores, and the HLA-B27 status of Saudi SpA patients.MethodsThe data of 94 patients who were diagnosed with SpA were collected from medical records and from them personally. The data included patient demographics, age at diagnosis, delay of diagnosis, in years, disease activity (BASDAI and ASDAS scores), HLA-B27 status and C-reactive protein levels (CRP). The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows version 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).Results50% of patients were females. The mean DD was (mean ± SD) 4.98 ± 6.00 (range: 0-35). The average age of symptoms onset was 30.70 ± 11.30 (range: 8-59) and the average age at diagnosis was 35.65 ± 10.80 (range: 16-60). The mean BASDAI and ASDAS scores were 3.05 ± 2.21 and 2.29 ± 1.01, respectively. The majority of the patients had high disease activity (35.1 %). 25.0% were HLA-B27 positive. 83.7 % had normal CRP. There was no statistically significant difference between DD and gender, HLA-B27 status, ASDAS and BASDAI scores, and CRP. The DD was significantly higher in AS patients when compared to PsA (p-value= 0.048) and EnA patients (p-value < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant weak anticorrelation between DD and the age at symptoms onset in PsA patients (r-value= -0.39, p-value= 0.003). Age at diagnosis was statistically significantly higher in patients with PsA when compared to EnA. There was no correlation between DD and the disease activity in SpA patients.ConclusionThe means of DD in AS, PsA, and EnA patients were 6.69 ± 5.83, 3.67 ± 6.42 and 2.00 ± 1.60, respectively. DD was greater in AS patients when compared to PsA and EnA patients. Early detection and referral to rheumatologists should be addressed, as early intervention is associated with favorable disease outcomes.

Ultrasound-guided epidural block in axial spondyloarthritis patients with limited spine mobility: a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundEvaluation of the effectiveness of caudal epidural injection on pain, spine mobility, disease activity, and activity of daily living in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients.MethodsA total sample of 47 patients were registered in this study. They were randomly assigned into 2 groups; Group I received caudal epidural injections, ultrasound-guided, with 1% lidocaine hydrochloride mixed with triamcinolone, whereas Group II did not receive any injections. All participants fulfilled the ASAS criteria for axial SpA. Outcome measures were as follows visual analogue scale, Oswestry disability index (ODI), modified Schober test, lateral lumbar flexion, and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) with assessment at baseline, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks post-treatment. This clinical trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT04143165.ResultsThere was a significant difference between both groups regarding pain, ODI, spine mobility and ASDAS scores in favor of group I. This effect was at its maximum after 2 weeks. Despite the decline of this effect after 2 months, the difference between the groups remained significant. Higher disease activity, younger age, and shorter disease duration were associated with better outcomes.ConclusionsEpidural injection of lidocaine and triamcinolone is a cost effective and a practical technique for controlling pain, as well as improving the function of the spine and disease activity scores in axial SpA patients with acceptable complications and relatively sustained effect.

Serum calprotectin: a promising biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis

BackgroundCalprotectin (S100A8/S100A9 protein) is known as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) protein and reflects mainly neutrophil activation. Serum calprotectin levels might be a good alternative to acute-phase protein as a biomarker in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of serum calprotectin with disease activity and severity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsSerum calprotectin was measured in patients with RA, axSpA, and PsA from the prospective Swiss Clinical Quality Management (SCQM) registry. Asymptomatic first-degree relatives of RA patients were used as healthy controls (HC). Outcomes included swollen joint count (SJC), Disease Activity Score (DAS), Health Assessment questionnaire (HAQ), joint radiographs, and ultrasound power Doppler (USPD) score for RA; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and coxitis for axSpA; and SJC and Disease Activity Index for PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) for PsA. Comparison of outcomes by calprotectin quartile levels was performed using Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous outcomes or trend tests for categorical outcomes.ResultsA total of 1729 subjects [RA = 969, axSpA = 451, PsA = 237, and HC = 72] were included. Median levels of serum calprotectin were higher in each disease group compared to HC (p < 0.01). In RA patients, all clinical outcomes were statistically different between quartiles of serum calprotectin, indicating an association between calprotectin levels and higher disease activity (SJC, DAS, and USPD scores) and severity (joint radiographs and HAQ). In axSpA, an association between calprotectin levels and ASDAS score (p < 0.01) and prevalence of coxitis (p = 0.02) was observed. For PsA patients, SJC and DAPSA did not differ across calprotectin quartiles.ConclusionsThis large study supports the association of serum calprotectin levels with disease activity in both RA and axSpA, but not in PsA.

Longitudinal Association Between Trabecular Bone Loss and Disease Activity in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A 4-year Prospective Study.

To investigate whether trabecular bone loss is longitudinally associated with disease activity measures in patientswith axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Data from patients enrolled in the Incheon Saint Mary's axSpA prospective observational cohort were evaluated. Trabecular bone loss was assessed using the trabecular bone score (TBS). The relationship between TBS and disease activity measures [Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] was investigated using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. Four-year followup data from 240 patients (80% males, mean age 37 ± 12 yrs) were evaluated. At baseline, higher disease activity according to ASDAS-ESR and ASDAS-CRP showed a trend toward lower TBS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.016, respectively). Univariate GEE analyses showed a significant association between TBS and disease activity measures over time, with the exception of BASDAI. Univariate analysis showed a longitudinal association between TBS and age, smoking, and spinal structural damage. In multivariate GEE analysis, ASDAS-ESR, ASDAS-CRP, ESR, and CRP were longitudinally associated with TBS after adjustment for confounding factors. ASDAS scores and inflammatory markers were longitudinally associated with TBS in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS; 79%), but not in patients with nonradiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA). BASDAI scores showed no relationship with TBS in either the AS or nr-axSpA groups. Trabecular bone loss in patients with axSpA, assessed using the TBS, showed a longitudinal association with ASDAS scores and inflammatory markers.

Association Between Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, -2, -3 Plasma Levels and Disease Activity of Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Chinese Han Population.

We investigated the association between ICAM-1, -2, -3 plasma levels and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) disease activity. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between ICAM-1, -2, -3 plasma levels and AS disease activity in the Chinese Han population. AS is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that effects the sacroiliac joints and axial skeleton. The intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) are members of the immunoglobulin superfamily and have been identified to play major roles in inflammation and immune responses. A total of 60 patients with AS and 60 healthy individuals were selected. The plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and ICAM-1, -2, -3, were analyzed by ELISA. Disease severity-related indexes, including the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), and ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS), were assessed, along with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Both ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 levels in plasma were markedly increased in AS patients compared with levels in the plasma of controls. There was no difference between controls and patients in term of ICAM-3 levels. Furthermore, in patients, correlation analysis showed that TNF-α and IL-6 production, as well as the ESR and CRP levels, have positive relationships with ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 plasma levels; the BASDAI, BASFI, and ASDAS scores were also found to be positively correlated with ICAM-2. However, no significant correlations between ICAM-1 levels and BASDAI, BASFI, or ASDAS were detected in our study. The current findings suggest that ICAM-2 may be a potential biomarker reflecting disease activity and functional ability in AS patients. 5.

THE VALUE OF THE ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS DISEASE ACTIVITY SCORE (ASDAS) IN EVALUATING DISEASE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Aim. To evaluate the clinical value of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) in assessing disease activity in axial SpA patients in comparison with conventional clinical measures of disease activity in daily clinical practice. Patients and methods. Eighty-five patients with axial SpA were included in a cross-sectional study. Disease activity was assessed by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity (BASDAI) score, ASDAS score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), ASDAS score with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ASDAS-ESR), patient’s global assessment of disease activity (PtGA), CRP and ESR, while physical function was evaluated by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). The correlation between different markers of disease activity and functional capacity and ASDAS scores were determined. Patients were grouped into high and low disease activity states according to PtGA scores, CRP levels and BASDAI scores. We compared the discriminating ability of the two ASDAS versions and the conventional clinical measures of disease activity in differentiating between patients with high and low disease activity by using standardized mean differences and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results. ASDAS-CRP and ASDAS-ESR showed good correlation with BASDAI (r = 0.84 and 0.72, respectively), PtGA (r = 0.82 and 0.74, respectively), and BASFI (r = 0.74 and 0.70, espectively). Moderate correlations were seen between the two ASDAS versions and ESR and CRP (r ranged from 0.43 to 0.70). The ASDAS versions had higher discriminating capacities as compared to conventional patient-reported measures (BASDAI and PtGA) and objective markers of disease activity (CRP and ESR). The ASDAS-CRP performed better than ASDAS-ESR. Both ASDAS versions and BASDAI had high areas under the curve (AUC) according to PtGA and CRP levels (AUC ranged from 0.66 to 0.92, all p &lt; 0.01). The calculated cut-offs for discriminating between disease activity states in our axSpA patients were relatively similar to the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) endorsed cut-offs. Conclusions. ASDAS versions had higher discriminating ability in patients with axSpA in terms of high and low disease activity states than conventional measures. These findings suggest that ASDAS is a valid and reliable assessment tool for axial SpA patients in daily clinical practice.

Impaired response to treatment with tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors in smokers with axial spondyloarthritis

ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of smoking on the response to treatment with a first tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in a real-life cohort.MethodsPatients fulfilling...

Efficacy of high intensity exercise on disease activity and cardiovascular risk in active axial spondyloarthritis: a randomized controlled pilot study.

BackgroundPhysical therapy is recommended for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and flexibility exercises have traditionally been the main focus. Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are considered as a major health concern in axSpA and there is strong evidence that endurance and strength exercise protects against CV diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of high intensity endurance and strength exercise on disease activity and CV health in patients with active axSpA.MethodsIn a single blinded randomized controlled pilot study the exercise group (EG) performed 12 weeks of endurance and strength exercise while the control group (CG) received treatment as usual. The primary outcome was the Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Secondary outcomes included patient reported disease activity (Bath AS Disease Activity Index [BASDAI]), physical function (Bath AS Functional Index [BASFI]), and CV risk factors measured by arterial stiffness (Augmentation Index [Alx]) and Pulse Wave Velocity [PWV]), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak) and body composition. ANCOVA on the post intervention values with baseline values as covariates was used to assess group differences, and Mann Whitney U-test was used for outcomes with skewed residuals.ResultsTwenty-eight patients were included and 24 (EG, n = 10, CG, n = 14) completed the study. A mean treatment effect of −0.7 (95%CI: −1.4, 0.1) was seen in ASDAS score. Treatment effects were also observed in secondary outcomes (mean group difference [95%CI]): BASDAI: −2.0 (−3.6, −0.4), BASFI: −1.4 (−2.6, −0.3), arterial stiffness (estimated median group differences [95% CI]): AIx (%): −5.3 (−11.0, −0.5), and for PVW (m/s): −0.3 (−0.7, 0.0), VO2 peak (ml/kg/min) (mean group difference [95%CI]: 3.7 (2.1, 5.2) and trunk fat (%): −1.8 (−3.0, −0.6). No adverse events occurred.ConclusionHigh intensity exercise improved disease activity and reduced CV risk factors in patients with active axSpA. These effects will be further explored in a larger trial.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01436942

Comparison of the effects of rituximab, tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs on ankylosing spondylitis clinical activity and sacroileitis intensity on magnetic resonance imaging

Aim. To investigate the effect of rituximab in ankylosing spondylitits on disease activity and on intensity of sacroileitis detected by magnetic resonance imagigng compared to tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods. The study included 91 patient [14 (15.4%) females, 77 (84.6%) males, mean age - 34.4±9.13 years, disease duration - 6.6±3.8 years] with established diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitits. The main group included 20 patients (17 males, mean age 36.9±9.9 years) who were treated with rituximab. The comparison group included 36 patients (30 males, mean age 34.3±8.6 years) treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. The control group consisted of 35 patients (30 males, mean age 33.4±9.3 years) treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sulfasalazine. Disease activity was measured by BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) and ASDASESR (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score) scores before the treatment initiation, at the 2nd, 8th, 16th and 24th weeks of treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging of sacroiliac joints was performed before the treatment initiation and at the 24th week of treatment, T1 and STIR sequences were analyzed. Results were processed using the SPARCC (Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada) scoring methodology. Results. There was a significant reduction of the disease clinical activity measured by BASDAI score (from 6.19±1.48 to 3.70±0.91, p 0.01) and ASDASESR score (form 3.43±0.72 tо 2.11±0.46, p 0.01) in patients treated with rituximab at the week 24. Mean SPARCC score reduced from 15.9±7.2 to 4.6±8.2 (p 0.01). The influence of rituximab on clinical activity of the disease was superior over the effect of the standard treatment (BASDAI and SPARCC scores 5.22±1.14 and 7.8±7.1 accordingly at the week 24, p 0.05), but inferior over the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (BASDAI and SPARCC scores 2.03±0.64 и 4.9±7.0 accordingly at the week 24, p 0.01). Conclusion. Anti B-cell therapy is effective in treating active ankylosing spondylitis and leads to the decrease of the clinical symptoms intensity and disease activity measured by BASDAI и ASDASESR scores. The effect of rituximab was superior over the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sulfasalazine and inferior over the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors.

SAT0263 Validity of ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS) in patients with early spondyloarthritis

BackgroundRecently, a Working Group of the SpondyloArtrhitis International Society (ASAS) has proposed a composite disease activity score, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS),...

AB0891 Correlation of ASDAS and BASDAI with disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis

BackgroundThe Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) published a new measurement tool to help in the assessment of disease activity in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients and as an instrument to assess treatment...