title: Persistent clinical efficacy and safety of anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy with infliximab in patients with ankylosing spondylitis over 5 years: evidence for different types of response.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is insufficient evidence for the long-term efficacy and safety of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This is the first report on the treatment with infliximab over 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a multicentre randomised trial, 69 patients with active AS at baseline (BL) have been continuously treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg i.v. every 6 weeks)--except for a short discontinuation after 3 years (FU1). The primary outcome of this extension was remission according to the ASsessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) criteria at the end of year 5 of the study (FU2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 43 patients who completed year 3, 42 agreed to continue, 38 of which (90.5%) finished year 5 (55% of 69 initially). Partial clinical remission was achieved in 13 of 38 patients (34.2%) at FU1 and FU2. At FU2, the mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was 2.5+/-1.9 (BL:6.4, FU1:2.5). BASDAI values <4 were seen in 79% of patients at both, FU1 and FU2. ASAS 20% and 40% responses were seen in 32 (84%) and 24 (63%) patients at FU2, respectively. Most patients classified as non-responders at FU2 were part-time responders, as all but one patient achieved an ASAS 20% response at least once within the last 2 years. Three types of responders were identified. No major side effects occurred during years 4 and 5 of infliximab therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infliximab is safe and efficacious in AS patients over 5 years. The majority of the patients remained on treatment and had rather persistent levels of low disease activity. Different response types could be identified.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Medical Center Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany. j.braun@rheumazentrum-ruhrgebiet.de
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Baraliakos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Listing
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alten
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burmester
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schewe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sörensen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeidler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sieper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab